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.
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11-07-2009, 11:33 AM	#2
Dino Jack of many languages Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 2,071	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. Last edited by Dino; 11-07-2009 at 11:36 AM.
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