Thread: calloc

I am writing this program and using calloc. My next step is to add realloc for every new entry added.
But i do not understand why when I set

Code:

ent1 = (ent *)calloc(1, sizeof(ent));

this, if I choose to add a new entry, I can. I thought the above code would only let me use enough memory(one array of my struct) for one of my typedef struct??
I seem to be able to add new entries into the memory space i thought would only hold 1 type (ent).
I must be confused about how calloc works, so if anyone can explain I would be grateful.

Code:

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

typedef struct entry{
	char name[25];
	int num;
}ent;

void addEntry(ent *);
void printEntry(ent*);

int entries = 0;

int main(){
	
	ent *ent1;
	ent *newEnt1;
	int choice = 0;
	
	ent1 = (ent *)calloc(1, sizeof(ent));
	
	if (ent1 == NULL) {
		return; //calloc is not successful
	}//end if
	
	do {
		printf("\n1\tAdd Entry.\n");
		printf("2\tPrint list.\n");
		printf("3\tQuit.\n");
		printf("Enter choice : ");
		scanf("%d", &choice);
		
		switch (choice) {
			case 1:
				
				addEntry(ent1);
				entries += 1;
				break;
			case 2:
				printEntry(ent1);
				break;
				
			default:
				break;
				
		}//switch
		
		
	} while (choice != 3);
	
	return 0;
	free(ent1);
	
}//main

void addEntry(ent * ent2){		//ent2 accepts ent1
	
	
	printf("\nEnter name: \n");
	scanf("%s", ent2[entries].name);
	//fgets(ent2[entries].name, 25, stdin);
	printf("Enter Phone number: \n");
	scanf("%d", &ent2[entries].num);
}//end func def add

void printEntry (ent * ent2){
	int x;
	
	
	for (x=0; x<entries; x++) {
		
		printf("\nName: %s\n", ent2[x].name);
		printf("Phone number: %d\n", ent2[x].num);
	}//for 
	
}//end func def prlst

Just because it lets you doesn't mean it's right. All that means is that you're writing on top of memory that belongs to someone else, which you will notice when that someone else tries to use it.

Ok, for some reason I thought malloc/calloc assigned only a block size you requested, and wouldn't let the program go over. I was very wrong.
The book I am learning from states "this program allows the user to enter UP TO an 80 character name, the amount of storage requested by malloc", I read this as not letting the program use any more than 80, but after 80 it will be using unrequested/unsafe memory. Thus the need for safe programming.
I think I am right in believing that malloc/calloc sets aside what we request, and the pointer we define points to the first element. ??

would you mind telling me if I am using calloc/realloc correctly.
I am trying to add more memory each time a user adds a new entry.

Code:

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

typedef struct entry{
	char name[25];
	int num;
}ent;

void addEntry(ent *);
void printEntry(ent*);

int entries = 0;

int main(){
	
	ent *ent1;
	
	ent *newEnt1;
	int choice = 0;
	int memory = 1; //mem starst as 1 because we want 1*size of struct ent
					//to be allocated memory
	int oldmem=0;
	ent1 = (ent *)calloc(memory, sizeof(ent));
	
	
	if (ent1 == NULL) {
		return 0; //calloc is not successful
	}//end if
	
	do {
		printf("\n1\tAdd Entry.\n");
		printf("2\tPrint list.\n");
		printf("3\tQuit.\n");
		printf("Enter choice : ");
		scanf("%d", &choice);
		
		switch (choice) {
			case 1:
				
				addEntry(ent1);
				entries += 1;
				
			
				
				oldmem = memory; // transfer amount of arrays to old mem
				newEnt1 = realloc(ent1, (memory+=1)*sizeof(ent));
				
					if (newEnt1 == NULL) {
						printf("\nOut of memory\n");
						return 0;
					}//end if
				
					else{
						ent1 = newEnt1;
					}//else
				printf("\nThe amount of memory allocated is %d * size of ent struct", memory);
				
				break;
			case 2:
				printEntry(ent1);
				break;
				
			default:
				break;
				
		}//switch
		
		
	} while (choice != 3);
	
	return 0;
	free(ent1);
	
}//main

void addEntry(ent * ent2){		//ent2 accepts ent1
	
	
	printf("\nEnter name: \n");
	scanf("%s", ent2[entries].name);
	
	//fgets(ent2[entries].name, 25, stdin);
	
	printf("Enter Phone number: \n");
	scanf("%d", &ent2[entries].num);
	
	
	
}//end func def add

void printEntry (ent * ent2){
	int x;
	
	
	for (x=0; x<=entries-1; x++) {
		
		printf("\nName: %s\n", ent2[x].name);
		printf("Phone number: %d\n", ent2[x].num);
	}//for 
	
	
}//end func def prlst

The program you have appears to be correct. oldmem is superfluous since you still have the ent1 pointer to the original memory. I would guess that the bit you quoted refers to fgets, since that limits the amount of input that can be entered.

Yes, oldmem was taken from the test program (testing calloc/realloc), but isn't needed in this one.

You are right in that the program the quoted text was referring to was using "gets", well spotted.
Thanks for your help.