relationship between struct array & malloc

[baraq]

#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#define STR_LENGTH 30

void memoryAlloc (int a);
void display(struct book_info* a, int count);

struct book_info {
	char author[STR_LENGTH];
	char title[STR_LENGTH];
	char pg[STR_LENGTH];
};

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
	int count;
	int i;
	fputs("Pease enter how many book to record: ",stdout);
	scanf("%d",&count);
	memoryAlloc(count);
	fflush(stdin);

	struct book_info* bookArray[count]; //variable cannot put in
	
	for (i = 0; i < count; ++i){

		printf("Book %d\n",i+1);

		fputs("Name of Author: ",stdout);
		fgets(bookArray[i].author,STR_LENGTH,stdin);
		fflush(stdin);

		fputs("Title of the Book:",stdout);
		fgets(bookArray[i].title,STR_LENGTH,stdin);
		fflush(stdin);

		fputs("Number of Page: ",stdout);
		fgets(bookArray[i].pg,STR_LENGTH,stdin);
		fflush(stdin);
	}

	display(bookArray, count);
	free(bookArray);
	return 0;
}

void display(struct book_info* a, int count){
	int i;
	for (i = 0; i < count; ++i){
		printf("Book %d\n",i+1);
		fputs("-----------------------------",stdout);
		printf("Name of Author: %s",a[i].author);
		printf("Title of the Book: %s",a[i].title);
		printf("Number of Page: %s",a[i].pg);
		fputs("-----------------------------",stdout);
	}
}

//dynamic memory allocation function 
void memoryAlloc (int a){
	int* arr;
	arr = (int*)malloc(a * sizeof(int));
	if (a == NULL){
		fputs("Filed to allocate memory!!!",stdout);
		exit(1);
	}
}

Hey guys, It might be a dumb question, but I really need your help.
I'm trying to get a number from a user and then create an array with the number of index the user put in.
For example, if a user input 3, array[3] will be created.
I know that "int array[count]" won't work because a variable cannot be put in.
So I made a function that allocates dynamic memory.
However, I can't link it with struct.
Anyone can give me a solution?

[Swarvy]

Once you declare the dynamically allocated memory in memoryAlloc() how do you access it in your main() function?

In your display function you pass in a pointer to your structure book_info, but then access the members of that structure as though you passed in an object to it.

Why do you use fputs() with the stdout as a parameter? wouldn't puts() or printf() be more appropriate? Not saying you can't do it your way, just a little unorthodox

I can't link it with struct

I don't quite understand what you mean by this phrase. What do you want to do? Create an array of structure pointers and then access each one via an index? Shouldn't you be doing something like this if that is what you want to do:

struct_array = (book_info *)malloc( count*sizeof(book_info) );
/* Or this way */
struct_array = (struct book_info *)malloc( count*sizeof(struct book_info) );

/* Now access the different books like this */
printf("%s\n", struct_array[0]->author);

Minor note: When you use fgets() to collect input with stdin as a parameter, the new-line character when you press enter is also included in your string. I don't know if you want it there or not, but just making you aware it will automatically be included in all the strings you enter.

[claudiu]

1) Never fflush(stdin)!

Cprogramming.com FAQ > Why fflush(stdin) is wrong

2) What do you mean by "linking" it with the struct??

If you are trying to allocate memory for an array of structs then just malloc n structs.

struct myStruct{
 int s;
};

int n;
scanf("%d",&n);
struct myStruct* array = malloc(n * sizeof(struct myStruct));

[baraq]

Oh, Thanks for super fast reply
What you wrote is exactly what I need to know.
I really don't know the differences and effectiveness between puts() and printf() (i know the differences between puts() and fputs() though)
Besides, I had to flush the buffer every time after using fgets(). Is there better and safer way to receive data from a user?

[baraq]

Another good advice. Thanks.
So, fflush(stdin) gives an unexpected result when the buffer is already empty.
I shouldn't use it unless there is surely unwanted data in the buffer.
However, If I don't flush the buffer in this case, it won't allow me to input (based on using fgets())

[Salem]

> Is there better and safer way to receive data from a user?
Typically, you would use fgets() to read ALL user input into a temporary buffer.

Then you would use sscanf() or strtol() (or several other strtox functions) to parse that buffer to extract the data you need.