Thread: pointer to array of structs

  1. #1
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    pointer to array of structs

    What is the proper syntax for initializing a pointer to an array of structures?

    I have the following definitions:
    Code:
    typedef struct
    {
       int Targets;
       Target_t targets[TARGETS_MAX];
    } TargetList_t;
    
    typedef struct  
    {
      int id;                           
      float distX;                        
      float distY;                       
    
    }Target_t;
    
    TargetList_t foo[SENS_MAX];
    TargetList_t* ptrfoo = &foo;
    TargetList_t TL;
    TargetList_t* ptrTL = &TL;
    If I try to initialize the pointer ptrTL it works fine
    Code:
    ptrTL->targets[0].distX = 4;
    However, in initializing the pointer to foo
    Code:
    ptrfoo[0]->targets[0].distX = 2;
    I get an error saying:
    error C2232: '->targets' : left operand has 'struct' type, use '.'
    what gives? How can I initialize a pointer to an array of structures?

  2. #2
    Jack of many languages Dino's Avatar
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    For one, this is wrong:

    Code:
    TargetList_t foo[SENS_MAX];
    TargetList_t* ptrfoo = &foo;
    Since foo is an array, "foo" by itself is a pointer. (aka, foo == &foo[0]).

    Todd

  3. #3
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    > TargetList_t* ptrfoo = &foo;
    You don't need the & in this assignment.

    > ptrfoo[0]->targets[0].distX = 2;
    A pointer to an array, and an array share the same notation, so in this case it would be
    ptrfoo[0].targets[0].distX = 2;

    Being the first element of the array, you could have done this as well
    ptrfoo->targets[0].distX = 2;
    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.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Burch View Post
    For one, this is wrong:
    Since foo is an array, "foo" by itself is a pointer. (aka, foo == &foo[0]).

    Todd
    Ahh, I did not know that. Thanks for the tip.

  5. #5
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
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    You should have gotten a warning on that.
    Conversion from TargetList_t** to TargetList_t*.
    Do you have warnings enabled?
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

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