Thread: newbie: memset before snprintf

  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Question newbie: memset before snprintf

    hello gurus,

    I have the following code:

    char em[_POSIX_PATH_MAX];
    memset(em, 0, _POSIX_PATH_MAX);
    snprintf(em, sizeof(em), "%s/db/abc", root_ptr);

    is memset needed here, or will snprintf work without any errors?

    thanks

  2. #2
    The Artful Lurker Deckard's Avatar
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    Re: newbie: memset before snprintf

    Originally posted by webwesen
    is memset needed here, or will snprintf work without any errors?
    memset() is not needed. snprintf() will terminate the string with a null.
    Jason Deckard

  3. #3
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    thnks

    thanks Jason!
    your help is appreciated

  4. #4
    ATH0 quzah's Avatar
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    Re: Re: newbie: memset before snprintf

    Originally posted by Deckard
    memset() is not needed. snprintf() will terminate the string with a null.
    Additionally, you could just initialize your array in one shot at creation time.

    There are two ways to zero value an array. One will give you different end results, but initially, it will be zeroed:

    a) the better way:

    char em[SOMESIZE] = {0};

    b) the odd way:

    static char em[SOMESIZE];

    Now the second (b) will behave in a rather different way than you exepct, however, it would actually initialize the array to zero value the first time the function was called. (After that, it'd have whatever value you had left in it the time before.)

    Obviously the first is the way to go, but I thought I would throw the other out, becuse it does zero value it.

    Quzah.
    Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.

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