Initializing arrays

bwisdom · 11-07-2009, 11:25 AM

I have a question. If:

Code:

char s[]="abc";

works, why doesn't

Code:

char s[8];
s[]="abc";

work. My line of thinking is that they both initilize an array of a certain size and then put the string "abc" in it. What am I missing? Ill get a "parse error before ']' token" in the second code on line 2.

The reason I would want the second alternative is lets say I have conditions with which I want to apply to s[]. Depending on the condition it will house a different string(none of which are longer than the array, including \0 of course), I would then want to print s[]. How would I get something like that to work?

Dino · 11-07-2009, 11:33 AM

You have to use strcpy() in C (or an equivalent function). In C, you can't just assign a string to a string variable. (edit: unless you are declaring it, and then that action happens at compile time, not runtime)

anon · 11-07-2009, 11:34 AM

Because initializing only works where you declare things. Arrays cannot be assigned later.

So look into strcpy, to set the string contents later.

11-07-2009, 11:25 AM	#1
bwisdom Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12	Initializing arrays I have a question. If: Code: char s[]="abc"; works, why doesn't Code: char s[8]; s[]="abc"; work. My line of thinking is that they both initilize an array of a certain size and then put the string "abc" in it. What am I missing? Ill get a "parse error before ']' token" in the second code on line 2. The reason I would want the second alternative is lets say I have conditions with which I want to apply to s[]. Depending on the condition it will house a different string(none of which are longer than the array, including \0 of course), I would then want to print s[]. How would I get something like that to work? Last edited by bwisdom; 11-07-2009 at 11:35 AM.
bwisdom is offline

11-07-2009, 11:33 AM	#2
Dino Jack of many languages Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 1,929	You have to use strcpy() in C (or an equivalent function). In C, you can't just assign a string to a string variable. (edit: unless you are declaring it, and then that action happens at compile time, not runtime) __________________ Mac and Windows cross platform programmer. Ruby lover. Memorable Quotes From Recent Posts: I can't remember. Last edited by Dino; 11-07-2009 at 11:36 AM.
Dino is offline

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Game of life: Initializing a struct with two 2D arrays	Brafil	C Programming	23	12-06-2008 01:39 PM
newbee: initializing arrays	breaka	C Programming	11	06-12-2006 12:20 PM
Initializing dynamic arrays	cunnus88	C++ Programming	9	11-21-2005 09:50 AM
initializing values for arrays, and chaging them w/o using scanf	sly_	C Programming	14	03-17-2003 10:07 AM
initializing char arrays to null	swiss powder	C++ Programming	6	02-28-2002 02:56 PM