My first attempt at realloc isn't yielding the results I'd hoped for. Can anybody point me in the right direction? (linux gcc 4.1.2)
Code:int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { char *smallArray[300]; char *tmpArray; if ((tmpArray = realloc (smallArray, sizeof (smallArray) + 10 )) == NULL) { printf ("realloc failed\n"); } system("PAUSE"); return 0; }
You don't have a pointer, you have an array. "smallArray" is an array of pointers, so you can't reallocate it. Just like you can't reallocate any other array. You can use realloc on one of the pointers in the array, but not on the whole array.
Quzah.
Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.
Well that sucks. So how do I get a dynamic array that I can resize as needed?
Search the forums for something like "multidimensional arrays" or "dynamic arrays". Basically you need a pointer to a pointer. You first allocate the number of actual pointers you want. Then you allocate for each one. I just did a post a few days ago on it. Much less colorful, sad to say.
Quzah.
Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.
First malloc() a basic amount for a pointer. Now treat that pointer as if it is your array. There you go. You can realloc() it.Originally Posted by beginner.c
You don't need to call malloc first, you can do everything with realloc.
char *array = NULL;
char *temp = realloc( array, 10 * sizeof *array ); // this is identical to malloc
if ( temp != NULL ) array = temp;
Then later on, expand it with
temp = realloc( array, 20 * sizeof *array );
if ( temp != NULL ) array = temp;
That means you can just have a loop which periodically calls realloc inside the loop, starting with a NULL pointer, rather than having to prepend an initial malloc just to get things started.
If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.
Thanks, but is that increasing the number of elements of the array? That's what I need to do.
Yes it doesbut is that increasing the number of elements of the array? That's what I need to do.
This one allocated 10 bytes and makes it as string. which is something similar to array[10]Code:char *temp = realloc( array, 10 * sizeof *array );
this one expands that a bit more to
And for the same array to allocated 20 more bytes to make array[30]. Thats is how it works. relloc stores the original pointer in a locatoin that was 10bytes and then allocated 20bytes and returns a nw pointer to the new memory location. This is how it worksCode:temp = realloc( array, 20 * sizeof *array );
ssharish2005
OK I must be missing something. Are you saying that the resulting array will be the equivalent of
As I need each element to be able to store a string rather than a single char.Code:char *smallArray[30];
A while ago I posted a pretty large example on how to read a file into an array of strings. The problem is the same and you can modify the code to your needs:
http://cboard.cprogramming.com/showp...53&postcount=6
It would be just smallArray[30] rather than pointer to a char array
ssharish2005
Thanks a lot, I'll have a look through it.
No, no, no!
Realoc does not add 20 bytes, It changes the allocated size to the new size
In this case it changes (if successful) the 10-bytes regeon to the 20 bytes regeon and copies the 10 bytes to the new location if needed.
When the new size is less than the original size - the regeon is shrinked to the new size...
All problems in computer science can be solved by another level of indirection,
except for the problem of too many layers of indirection.
– David J. Wheeler
