Returning a pointer.

[RyanC]

well, how can I return a pointer from a called function? I mean lets say I have a main function for printing a pointer, and have another function thats returning pointers(doesn't matter what the pointer is), how can I link between the main function and the another called function, also how can I generally make a function for returning pointers? if you can make an example(doesn't matter what it would be about..just having the same content) then would be much appreciated! ... thanks.

[Matticus]

Pointers are just variables, and are returned from functions just like any other variable would be.

Rather than give you a complete example, I will give you a sample function:

char *make_string(void)
{
    char *str = malloc(7);  /* error-checking omitted */

    strcpy(str,"Hello.");

    return str;
}

Your job is to create a program with a "main()" function that receives the pointer returned from this function, and print the result.

Bonus points for doing what else is required with the pointer returned in this example.

[RyanC]

Pointers are just variables, and are returned from functions just like any other variable would be.

Rather than give you a complete example, I will give you a sample function:

char *make_string(void)
{
    char *str = malloc(7);  /* error-checking omitted */

    strcpy(str,"Hello.");

    return str;
}

Your job is to create a program with a "main()" function that receives the pointer returned from this function, and print the result.

Bonus points for doing what else is required with the pointer returned in this example.

Alright will do no problem and thank you very much, also for putting the kind of your function "*make_string(void)" above is a "char" because the value of the pointer that're willing to print it is a char, so if the value of the pointer was resembling an integer number then I must change the kind to int aka "int *make_string(void)"...right?

[Matticus]

The terminology you're using is a bit off, but basically yes - a pointer to character (char *) points to a character (char), and a pointer to integer (int *) points to an integer (int).

Also, I posted that exercise in the hopes you would post your attempt so we can see how well you might understand it. I would like to see you try that.

[Cat]

Alright will do no problem and thank you very much, also for putting the kind of your function "*make_string(void)" above is a "char" because the value of the pointer that're willing to print it is a char, so if the value of the pointer was resembling an integer number then I must change the kind to int aka "int *make_string(void)"...right?

To be more precise on the language:

make_string is a function that returns a char * (aka a "pointer to char").

A pointer can be thought of as a memory address. Here, we're saying this function returns a memory address, and we tell the compiler what type of data is stored at that address - in this case, a character (the "H" in "Hello.", specifically).