array of unknown size

Hi,
How would I use an array that doesn't have a size in its declaration? I want this array to be assigned an unknown number of values over the course of the program , but trying to declare an array of 0 size can't be done.

Code:

double valid_rates[VALID_PAY_RATES] = {3.50, 4.00, 4.50, 4.75, 5.00, 5.50, 5.75, 6.00},
invalid_rates[UNKNOWN_VALUE],
rate;

int hours;


        printf("\nPlease enter the number of hours: ");
	scanf("%d" , &hours);

	printf("\nPlease enter the rate of pay: ");
	scanf("%lf" , &rate);

for(individual_rates=0; individual_rates<VALID_PAY_RATES; ++individual_rates)

		if(rate == valid_rates[individual_rates]) 
		
		{
			if(hours > 40)
			
				{
					hours_overtime = hours - 40;
				    overtime_pay = hours_overtime * (1.5 * rate);
					regular_pay = rate * 40;	
				}
		
			else
		
				regular_pay = rate * hours;
									
			
			printf("\nThe regular pay is %2.2f", regular_pay);
			printf("\nThe overtime pay is %2.2f", overtime_pay);
			printf("\nThe gross pay is %2.2f\n\n", overtime_pay + regular_pay);

			grand_total_salaries += overtime_pay + regular_pay;
			++num_of_employees;
			overtime_pay=0;

			printf("\nDo you want to process another employee?(1 for yes, 0 for no): ");
			scanf("%d" , &response);
			break;		
			
		}
			
	
		else
		
			if((rate != valid_rates[individual_rates]) && (individual_rates == VALID_PAY_RATES-1))
		
			{
		
				printf("\nERROR:INVALID PAY RATE, valid rates are: ");	
				printf("\n$3.50 $4.00 $4.50 $4.75 $5.00 $5.50 $5.75 $6.00 -- Please try again\n\n");
				
			  		invalid_rates[UNKNOWN_VALUE] = rate;

                            /*each time there is an invalid rate entered, it    
                                   should be stored in invalid_rates[](somehow)*/

		        }

any help would be appreciated.

Arrays must have a defined size at compile time. If you're looking for something that can change in run time, you'll need dynamic allocation (and perhaps reallocation).

Not really sure what I would need for this. Haven't learned the language beyond arrays yet.
There will be an unknown number of invalid pay rates depending on how many users are processed and how many enter invalid rates. (The whole thing will be enclosed in a while loop).

Originally Posted by richdb

There will be an unknown number of invalid pay rates depending on how many users are processed and how many enter invalid rates. (The whole thing will be enclosed in a while loop).

If an invalid rate is entered, don't accept it and make the user take another shot at it.

Thats what the program does now, I just want to be able to display the incorrect entries when the program ends.

You need to use the functions malloc(), realloc() and free(). There's also calloc(). These are declared in stdlib.h however if you say that you haven't learned anything beyond arrays then I am guessing you haven't gotten used to pointers yet and if that is the case I wouldn't advise trying to handle dynamic memory as it can be quite tricky. I'd recommend to just make your arrays really big for now and when you feel confident about using pointers you can return to your old code and try to implement dynamic memory for those arrays instead.

I had a feeling it was something like that I had thought of making the array huge, but wanted something more elegant than that. Guess Ill have to read on.

Look at this program:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main(void) {
    int *a = 0, *p, n = 0, x, i;

    printf("Enter some numbers, 0 to stop\n");

    while(scanf("%i", &x) && x) {
        p = realloc(a, sizeof(int) * (n+1));
        if(!p) {
            perror("Out of memory");
            free(a);
            return 1;
        }
        a = p;

        a[n++] = x;
    }

    for(i = 0; i < n; i ++) {
        printf("%i\n", a[n]);
    }

    free(a);

    return 0;
}

I hope it helps.