Thread: Using strcpy() and arrays of structs

  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Apr 2007
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    Using strcpy() and arrays of structs

    Hello everyone,

    I'm having an issue using strcpy() and having one of the values being an array of structs. Here's the important parts:
    Code:
    #include <string.h>
    .
    .
    .
    struct identifiers {
      char * category;
      char * name;
      char * itype;
      char * scope;
      char * lifetime;
    }symbols[60];
    .
    .
    .
    strcpy((&symbols[i])->name, yytext);
    I have all of my variables declared properly, so there's no need to worry about that. This version compiles fine, but I get a segmentation fault every time I get to this part of the program. Essentially, my question is if I'm using the strcpy() function correctly for my situation. If you need the rest of the code for troubleshooting, let me know. I didn't put all of it in because it's lengthy and messy.

    Thanks ahead of time.
    vital101

  2. #2
    ATH0 quzah's Avatar
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    None of your variables actually point to any allocated memory by default. So unless you're allocating some right before that strcpy call, you aren't pointing anywhere useful. Plus, since you're dealing with pointers, you don't need to add that & in there.


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

  3. #3
    Registered User
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    7
    Thanks, that solved my issue.

  4. #4
    Officially An Architect brewbuck's Avatar
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    Quzah already explained the problem, but...

    Quote Originally Posted by vital101 View Post
    Code:
    (&symbols[i])->name
    Why are you referencing and then immediately dereferencing? Totally pointless. Just do this:

    Code:
    symbols[i].name

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