Structure.Element or Structure->Element?

[circuits2]

What is the difference between the two methods of accessing an element within a structure and when is each appropriate?

typedef struct{
   int a;
   int b;
} myStruct;

int main(void)
{
myStruct person;

person.a = 1;
person->b = 2;
}

This is not a working program. I was just trying to give an example to further explain my question.

[laserlight]

If Structure is an object of a struct type that has a member named Element, then Structure.Element is correct.

If Structure is a pointer to an object of a struct type that has a member named Element, then Structure->Element is correct: it is equivalent to (*Structure).Element.

[Salem]

You use the .member when you have an actual instance of your structure.
You use the ->member when you have a pointer to an instance.

[Click_here]

Use "->" when the structure/union you are using is a pointer
Use "." when structure/union is not a pointer.

Edit - Include union and was too slow for Salem

[circuits2]

Does this carry through if there is a structure within a structure?

typedef struct{
   int a;
} myStruct2;

typedef struct{
   myStruct2 struct2;
} myStruct1;

int main(void)
{
   myStruct1 struct1;
   myStruct1 *pstruct;

   pstruct = &struct1;

   struct1.struct2.a = 1;
   pstruct->struct2->a = 2;
}

[laserlight]

was too slow for Salem

Who was too slow for me

Does this carry through if there is a structure within a structure?

Yes.

[circuits2]

Thank you all for the quick replies!

[Click_here]

Who was too slow for me

I don't even try to be faster than you, laserlight!

[laserlight]

Thank you all for the quick replies!

You're welcome

By the way, I know you stated that your code example is just for example and is not expected to work, but perhaps you should try to compile your example in post #5 as you might learn something.

I don't even try to be faster than you, laserlight!

Haha!