Structure and typedef

[Roaring_Tiger]

Have a basic question about strcture declaration and typedef

As per my understanding, when I say
int i,j,k;

compiler set aside the memory for these. But how about this

typedef int a;

Will compiler set the memory for variable?

Similarly, when I compile following program I do not get error

/*typedef*/ struct  // node 
{
	char a[100];
	char node;
}node;

//node node1,node2;
typedef int k;
k b;

main()
{
	printf("Hello\n");
	printf("%d\n",node.a);
//	printf("%d\n",node1.a);
//	printf("%d\n",node2.a);
}

Moment I include typedef, I get error.

Please describe, how this works?

[Stoned_Coder]

typedef int a;

Will compiler set the memory for variable?

What variable?
Thats just a type declaration.
It means treat a as another name for int.

Moment I include typedef, I get error.

Because your typedef and the struct tag have the same name.

typedef struct structtag { } alias;

structtag and alias cannot be the same.

[quzah]

When you typedef a variable, you are defining a new type. This does not create an instance of it. Watch:

struct
{
    ... stuff here ...
} instance;

This defines a nameless structure, and creates an instance of it, called 'instance'.

You cannot individually define instances of this structure now, because it has no name.

struct mystruct
{
    ... stuff here ...
} instance;

struct mystruct another_instance;

This defines a names structure (mystruct) and also creates an instance. We then create a second instance since it is named.

typedef struct
{
    ... stuff here ...
} node;

node instance;

Define a new data type named 'node' from a nameless structure. We then have to seperately define an instance of it.

typedef struct named
{
    ... stuff here ...
} node;

node instance;
struct named anotherinstance;

As per above, except we have created instances two different ways.

Key point here: the tag on the end of a typedef is the name of the data type, not the name of the instance of the variable.

Quzah.

[quzah]

Originally posted by Stoned_Coder
Because your typedef and the struct tag have the same name.

typedef struct structtag { } alias;

structtag and alias cannot be the same.

No. The problem is actually that they were thinking the alias was actually an instance of the variable. Look at their code.

Note to original poster: This is what happens when you don't tell us the exact error you get. It pays to be specific.

Quzah.

[Roaring_Tiger]

>>structtag and alias cannot be the same

Following code works fine eventhough structtag and alias same.

I feel is it typedef keyword that will not allow compiler to set aside the memory for struct and referecing member of such strcuture gives error.

/*typedef*/ struct node
{
char a[100];
char node;
}node;

main()
{
printf("%d\n",node.a);
}

[Roaring_Tiger]

I agree

Thanks

[quzah]

Originally posted by Roaring_Tiger
I feel is it typedef keyword that will not allow compiler to set aside the memory for struct and referecing member of such strcuture gives error.

This is correct. The final parameter of a typedef takes the place of where you could normally create an instance (following the closing } of a structure. Using typedef removes this ability. You have to create your instances later. With a typedef, the final argument is the name of the new data type, not an instance of it.

Quzah.