Allocations in Loops

[Geometrian]

Hi,

Simple question I've always wondered about:

Program 1:

for (int i=0;i<400;i++) {
    float value = my_array[i];
    //do something with value
}

Program 2:

float value;
for (int i=0;i<400;i++) {
    value = my_array[i];
    //do something with value
}

Which is more efficient? In the first program, is "value" allocated and deallocated each loop iteration?

Thanks,
Ian

[laserlight]

It may be the case that the memory for value is allocated when control enters the function, resulting in no difference either way.

[Lord Thunder]

Which is more efficient? In the first program, is "value" allocated and deallocated each loop iteration?

No, the variable space is allocated only once the before/at the start of the loop, the only difference is that any variable you may declare inside a block, cannot be used outside of the block.

In Program 1, it is illegal to inspect and/or modify the variable 'value' after the loop finishes. In Program 2, it's perfectly fine to do so.

On a side note: according to the C90 standard, you are only allowed to declare new variables at the start of any block. Unlike C++, where you can mix code and declarations freely everywhere.

LT

[msh]

On a side note: according to the C90 standard, you are only allowed to declare new variables at the start of any block. Unlike C++, where you can mix code and declarations freely everywhere.

For completeness sake then, it should be noted that C99 allows declaring variables anywhere in the code, as long as it is before the first use.

Whether "can" implies "should" is debatable. I've come to a conclusion that I prefer to keep mine at the start of the block. It makes for a cleaner-looking code.