Thread: way around variable array size probs?

Hi,
I know now that you can't define an array with the size determined at runtime. I'm trying to think of a useful work around that I could incoperate into a header file.
I'd like to create a header file that does a lot of the leg work of working around the problem of variable size arrays ( stop me if this isn't possible, I'm new ).

int i;
int *ptr = (int*) calloc ( 100, sizeof (int));
if (ptr == NULL)
printf("Calloc failed!");
for (i=0;((getchar () != 'x') == 1);i++) {
ptr[i] = getchar ();
}

At this point in any program I could have put into this block of memory ( ptr ) upto 100 integers. Firstly any ideas on how to shrink this into memory space into only the size I need it ( say I put in 5 numbers then have the array only holding 5 numbers and not 95 other "0"s as well).
From that could I produce a header file which could make this into a command I call as if you can enter variable size arrays.

I don't think I got my point arross well there, sorry about that. I'm not looking for code here. Just a shove in the right direction if its possible and to be told if its not.
Thanks

Ahhh, I see the difference. I wasn't sure about the protocol surrounding .h files etc ( I'm only learning for something to do when I've free time, I'm a chemistry undergrad ). Thanks, point taken as well hammer. I'll make the input system more flexible.

Do any of your more experienced coders write your own work arounds common problems you encounter. Something you've coded once and saved so you don't have to re-write lots of stuff everytime?

If so what of things have you done it for.