Problems passing values from function to main variables

Hi there! this is my first post, I'm relatively new to C, so I hope to be clear,
so here we go:

I've made a function that works properly, but I fail to pass the resulting array from my function to the main function, here is the code,

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

float SV(float dog[12][3]) 
{
	int i,j;
	for(i=0;i<12;i++)
  {
       { for(j=0;j<3;j++)
           printf("dog %8.3f\t", dog[i][j]);
      }
               printf("\n"); 
  }
   
return dog[i][j]; //will this work? or should I use some other syntaxis?
}

int main()
{
float cat[12][3]={
{-4.859,0.073,0.122},
{-3.610,-0.654,0.017},
{-2.432,0.308,0.088},
{-2.621,1.515,0.217},
{-1.213,-0.231,0.004},
{-0.016,0.584,0.061},
{1.100,-0.061,-0.749},
{1.157,-1.283,-0.869},
{1.989,0.764,-1.306},
{3.095,0.267,-2.100},
{3.942,1.426,-2.607},
{3.646,2.585,-2.327},
};
   
   
   float mouse[12][3];
   int i,j;
   
   for(i=0;i<12;i++)
   for(j=0;j<3;j++)
   mouse[i][j]=0;
   
   mouse[i][j]=SV(cat); //I would like to pass the return array from function SV to mouse variable 
  
   for(i=0;i<12;i++)
  {
	  { for(j=0;j<3;j++)
                 printf("mouse %8.3f\t", mouse[i][j]);
          }
                       printf("\n");
     }
   
   
   return 0;
}

I would really appreciate any help,
thank you,

Juan Pablo

Arrays are not returnable. But arrays that are passed in to a function are editable; any changes made to dog inside the function SV are visible from main.

Possibly because the for loop condition means "when i == 12", which is to say the loop ends because at the last iteration, i is incremented (i++), making it 12, stopping the loop.

So when you return dog[i][j], you are returning dog[12][3]. Try "return [i-1][j-1]".

@tabstop: the OP is not returning an array...

The code you have written will not return an array. In fact, C does not have a facility to return an array from a function. The most suitable solution is to pass in an already exisitng array, and let the functiokn fill the array in.

--
Mats

@MK: I know the OP is not returning an array, because arrays are not returnable. The OP quite clearly wants to return an array, as is stated.

@matsp: the OP is not returning an array, or trying to...

Thank you for the quick reply, I will try some changes.
Would you suggest me to use a global variable to assign the resulting array from function?

Originally Posted by tabstop

@MK: I know the OP is not returning an array, because arrays are not returnable. The OP quite clearly wants to return an array, as is stated.

I do not think the OP does want that. I think "pass the resulting array" is a typo. The rest of the context pretty much implies we want a single float value. I am right*!

Originally Posted by ERJuanca

Code:

return dog[i][j]; //will this work? or should I use some other syntaxis?

*it is because i & j are now out of bounds.

ps. "syntaxis" beat's brewbuck's "happenstance" for my word o' the day...

but I fail to pass the resulting array from my function to the main function

I would like to pass the return array from function SV to mouse variable

To me, both of those statements sounds like an attempt to do just what you are saying OP is not doing. Clearly it is NOT doing what OP wants to do, but that's not, in my view, changing the intention.

--
Mats

Originally Posted by MK27

I do not think the OP does want that. I think "pass the resulting array" is a typo. The rest of the context pretty much implies we want a single float value. I am right*!



*it is because i & j are now out of bounds.

Given that he is trying to assign the entire mouse array with one function call (note that function call isn't in a loop!), why do you think this?

Originally Posted by ERJuanca

Thank you for the quick reply, I will try some changes.
Would you suggest me to use a global variable to assign the resulting array from function?

No, you can return a pointer to an array.


@the world: I was *wrong*.

Returning the pointer to an array is quite involved (when the array is 2D, you need a loop and stuff). I still think it's a better idea to pass the original array to be filled in, into the function. (This may be allocated dynamically if required).

--
Mats

Originally Posted by MK27

No, you can return a pointer to an array.

You can, but (1) I know it would take me at least three tries to get the syntax for that right and (2) even so, since array names are not assignable you can't do anything with it (like assign mouse as desired).

[Attempt 1:

Code:

float *(bob(float param[12][3]))[12][3]

But I don't think that's right, obviously.]
@op: Just pass in the array you want changed and change it inside the function.

Originally Posted by tabstop

@op: Just pass in the array you want changed and change it inside the function.

That would be the "quick, easy and generally best" way.

Originally Posted by MK27

That would be the "quick and easy" way.

And for most cases, the CORRECT solution.

It is far too often on this forum that people suggest dynamic allocation as a solution. It is REALLY not the right thing.

--
Mats