Thread: How to make unknown size arrays?

How would I go about making an array that increases it's own size if needed (not unlike 'char *argv[]')?

Let me give you a bit more info. I'm trying to fread() a text document into an array, but of course text documents vary in content. So if I set, say 'char array[50]' then it will only be able to take 49 chars. So I was wondering if it was possible to either:

1. Make an 'unknown size' array, that increases as needed.
2. Make an array, then it increases itself as needed (like Add() in MFC)

I've tried:

Code:

char array[];

and

Code:

char *array[];

to no avail. Any help would be much appriecated.

The only thing close to what you're asking for is a linked list.

If you really wanted to you could use pointers and dynamic allocation to simulate resizable arrays. realloc is especially useful in this. However, that's a real pain in the butt, so why not just use a linked list as suggested.

Linked lists, hmm, nice tutorial on this site for it.

Thanks guys.

could you please post the link to it. I Couldn't find it in the faq or tutarials section. (never looked into how to make a linked list usaly use a malloc and realloc instad)

>I Couldn't find it in the faq or tutarials section.
http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial/lesson15.html

thanks
for the help