Thread: Global Variable Pointers

  1. #1
    anguished incognito54's Avatar
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    Global Variable Pointers

    Ahoy there mates!
    I'm having a problem here... I asked a couple of my friends and they say there's nothing wrong with this code, so I can't figure out what's the problem...

    I have declared four global pointers and i need to call them in a function(posted next). These are pointers to a double linked list.

    Code:
    typedef struct NODE {
        struct NODE *next;
        struct NODE *prev;
        char name[BUFFDIM]
    } node;
    
    node *first_list1 = NULL;
    node *last_list1 = NULL;
    
    node *first_list2 = NULL;
    node *last_list2 = NULL;
    
    void insert(node *first, node *last, char *as) {
        node *new = first;
        node *n;
        if(first==NULL) {
            first = (node *) malloc(sizeof(node));
            strcpy(first->name, as);
            first->next = NULL;
            first->prev = NULL;
            last = first;
        }
        else {
            while(n->next != NULL) {
                n = n->next;
            }
            new = (node*) malloc(sizeof(node));
            strcpy(new->name, as);
            new->prev = n;
            n->next = new;
            last = new;
        }
    }
    the thing is, if i call the function insert with one of those pointers (first_list1 or first_list2) and they're NULL, they don't change their value to point to a node...
    the "last" ones don't too.
    I've never felt the nausea of longing to feel nothing,
    I never wanted to cease to exist, just disappear...

  2. #2
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    > void insert(node *first, node *last, char *as);
    To make changes to pointers, you need pointers to pointers
    void insert(node **first, node **last, char *as);

    Which you would call with
    insert ( &first, &last, "hello" );

    > first = (node *) malloc(sizeof(node));
    Ugh, casting (see the FAQ)
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  3. #3
    Senior Member joshdick's Avatar
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    I believe Salem's talking about this:
    http://faq.cprogramming.com/cgi-bin/...&id=1043284351

  4. #4
    anguished incognito54's Avatar
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    hmm that's interesting... gotta blame those teachers for teaching us right!
    i called the function like you said but it gives me warnings... what more do i have to change in my code? guess i'm begining to think i'm trying to do stuff that's beyond my lead...
    I've never felt the nausea of longing to feel nothing,
    I never wanted to cease to exist, just disappear...

  5. #5
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    > i called the function like you said but it gives me warnings... what more do i have to change in my code?
    Well posting your latest code and errors would seem like a good move to me.
    Otherwise, it's just guesswork.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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