Pointer and multidimensional arrays

Here is what I want to do:

1. I have two arrays - one with new data and one with old. I effectively want to swap the pointer such that the pointer to the new data points at the old and the new data storage is deleted (i.e. no leaks).
2. I seem to be failing at the syntax stage. Tying up in Knots.
3. I dont wish to copy the elements..I need to save time, hence this pointer version...ideally which should just enavle me to swap between the two.

Thanks

Here is the code I am trying....its not working at it should as the changes are not being reflected.



#############################################

Code:

#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <math.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <stdio.h>


void MC(double ***ptrBeadArray);
void free_2d(double **d, int nx, int ny);

void MC(double ***ptrBeadArray)
{
	int i;
	double **ptrBeadArrayOld = NULL;
	double ****newptr = NULL;
	ptrBeadArrayOld = (double **)malloc(2  * sizeof(double *));
	for (i = 0; i< 2; i++)
	ptrBeadArrayOld[i] = (double *)malloc(3 * sizeof(double));
	
	
	ptrBeadArrayOld[0][0] = 7.0;
	ptrBeadArrayOld[0][1] = 7.0;
	ptrBeadArrayOld[0][2] = 7.0;
	
	
	
	
	ptrBeadArray = &ptrBeadArrayOld;
	//newptr = &ptrBeadArray;
	printf("%f\n",(*ptrBeadArray)[0][2]);
	//free_2d(*ptrBeadArray, 1, 3);
	//free_2d(**newptr, 2, 3);


}


void free_2d(double **d, int nx, int ny)
{
	int x;
	for (x = 0; x < nx; x++) 
	{
		free(d[x]);
	}
	free(d);
}


int main(void)
{
	int i;
	double **ptrBeadArray = NULL;
	ptrBeadArray = (double **)malloc(2  * sizeof(double *));
	for (i = 0; i< 2; i++)
	ptrBeadArray[i] = (double *)malloc(3 * sizeof(double));
	
	ptrBeadArray[0][0] = 1.0;
	ptrBeadArray[0][1] = 2.0;
	ptrBeadArray[0][2] = 3.0;
	
	MC(&ptrBeadArray);
	
	
	printf("%f\n",ptrBeadArray[0][0]);
	
	//free_2d(ptrBeadArray, 2, 3);
	
	return(0);
}

Now I can do it with the following code in the MC routine, but am concerned that the statement I have put in is actually copying the values in the array rather than effecting the pointers.

[code]

*ptrBeadArray = *&ptrBeadArrayOld;
newptr = &ptrBeadArray;
printf("%f\n",(*ptrBeadArray)[0][2]);
//free_2d(*ptrBeadArray, 1, 3);
free_2d(**newptr, 2, 3);

[\code]

guess this is what you want to do

Code:

#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <math.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <stdio.h>


void free_2d(double **d, int nx, int ny);

void MC(double ***ptrBeadArray)  // you have to pass the array dimensions
{
	int i;
	double **ptrBeadArrayOld = NULL;
	
        ptrBeadArrayOld = (double **)malloc(2  * sizeof(double *));
	for (i = 0; i< 2; i++)
	   ptrBeadArrayOld[i] = (double *)malloc(3 * sizeof(double));
	
	ptrBeadArrayOld[0][0] = 7.0;
	ptrBeadArrayOld[0][1] = 7.0;
	ptrBeadArrayOld[0][2] = 7.0;

        double **oldPtr = *ptrBeadArray;
        
        free_2d(oldPtr, 2,3 );  // you don't know the dimensions here
                
	*ptrBeadArray = ptrBeadArrayOld;   // need to dereference
}


void free_2d(double **d, int nx, int ny)
{
	int x;
	for (x = 0; x < nx; x++) 
{
		free(d[x]);
}
	free(d);
}


int main(void)
{
	int i;
	double **ptrBeadArray = NULL;
	ptrBeadArray = (double **)malloc(2  * sizeof(double *));
	for (i = 0; i< 2; i++)
	   ptrBeadArray[i] = (double *)malloc(3 * sizeof(double));
	
	ptrBeadArray[0][0] = 1.0;
	ptrBeadArray[0][1] = 2.0;
	ptrBeadArray[0][2] = 3.0;
        
        printf("%f\n",ptrBeadArray[0][0]);
        printf("%f\n",ptrBeadArray[0][1]);
        printf("%f\n",ptrBeadArray[0][2]);
	
        MC(&ptrBeadArray);
	
        printf("%f\n",ptrBeadArray[0][0]);
        printf("%f\n",ptrBeadArray[0][1]);
        printf("%f\n",ptrBeadArray[0][2]);
	
	free_2d(ptrBeadArray, 2, 3);
	
	return(0);
}

Kurt

Thanks for that, but does the dereference copy the values over, in otherwords is there any copying of the elements?

Don't cast malloc() . . . .

It does copy the data if you malloc() new memory for it. If you just set the pointer to the existing memory then it doesn't copy the data, just the pointer.

Ok thanks for that....

I have now done the re-pointing which has saved sometime. however I have some fixed arrays which are passed in the following way:

Code:

int (*ptrCellIndex)[Xsections][Ysections][Zsections][MaxBeadsinCell], int (*ptrCellIndexCount)[Xsections][Ysections][Zsections]

I then have some static defined variables in the function. I wish to essentially copy one over to the other.

Code:

int CellIndexVolTest[Xsections][Ysections][Zsections][MaxBeadsinCell];
int CellIndexEndVolTest[Xsections][Ysections][Zsections];

What do you suggest I do for this? I need a faster way than just copying elements. The pointer route is'nt possible right? or is it?

Thanks

I wish to essentially copy one over to the other.

That will use an incredible amount of time and memory if the dimensions of the array are bigger than, say, 10. Why do you need a copy of the array?

I need a faster way than just copying elements. The pointer route is'nt possible right? or is it?

You can use a pointer to access the original array, but if you intend to do something like modify the copy of the array, you would need to copy the array.

The fastest way to copy an array would probably be to use memcpy().