Thread: my malloc is stuck on "8" for some reason... why?

Keep track of the size yourself, e.g.,

Code:

size_t size = 1000;
int *a = malloc(size * sizeof(*a));

printf("%u\n", (unsigned int)size);

Your use of sizeof merely results in the size of the pointer in bytes, not the number of elements for which space was allocated.

Thanks for your suggestion. However, so I know I am properly allocating memory, I want the computer to tell me the size by actually checking the size, not just recalling a pre-set variable. It's kind of like setting a thermostat in your house to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. I want the system to actually take the temperature of the room and read it back to me. Your approach is kind of like "just write the number 70 on a piece of paper, and then read your piece of paper later".

But maybe your way the *only* realistic way to do what I'm talking about? I did some reading on the internet, and it saw things like this:
"there is no way to do it. the only way is to create a variable and remember the variable"

I find it strange that this will output 3:
int a[] = {1, 2, 3};

int j = sizeof(a) / sizeof(a[0]);
printf("%d", j);


But my earlier code likes to print out 8 no matter what. So I'll do it your way, because it seems like C has "no idea" how big the memory block is when you set up it's pointer.

Originally Posted by c_seeker

However, so I know I am properly allocating memory, I want the computer to tell me the size by actually checking the size, not just recalling a pre-set variable.

You can tell that you are properly allocating memory by checking that malloc did not return a null pointer. Okay, this is not guaranteed if the memory allocation strategy was overly optimistic, but generally this is supposed to be the case.

Originally Posted by c_seeker

But I am looking to interrogate the system's memory stack/heap and have it report back to me that way.

This cannot be done in standard C, so you would need to provide more details on say, your OS and compiler and wait for someone else with the necessary knowledge to explain what to do, if feasible. Also, because the memory allocated does not necessarily equal what you requested, you can forget about your requirement that "I want it to output 1000. If I change that to 500, I want it to output 500."

EDIT:

Originally Posted by c_seeker

I find it strange that this will output 3:

Code:

int a[] = {1, 2, 3};

int j = sizeof(a) / sizeof(a[0]);
printf("%d", j);

Nothing strange about that: sizeof(a) results in the size of the array in bytes. sizeof(a[0]) results in the size of the first element in bytes. When you divide, you get the number of elements. Notice that you did not take the size of a pointer to the first element of the array.