Thread: Change one element of string pointed by char pointer

Originally Posted by std10093

String literals can not modify their data, but they can modify their pointer.

On the other hand, if you had an array, then the opposite stands true. You can not modify the pointer, but you can modify the data

I'd prefer to say that a pointer can change its string literal. I wouldn't really say that, it sounds awkward, but the point is that string literal should be pointed to, it doesn't own it's own pointer and the data itself doesn't really decay into a pointer. A string literal is actually "This" or "this" -- objects of type char[5] -- the data proper.

char *p = "This";

p can be reassigned, because it is a pointer. And that very syntax is only allowed as a convenience. A convenience which C++ copied from the beginning, I think, but nonetheless. Before C was standardized, you needed to do magic like this:

char * p;
char cs[] = "This";
p = cs;

I will even link a FAQ answer later that shows the difference between a pointer pointing to an array object and an array itself with pictures.

Originally Posted by std10093

Example with string literal.
<snip>

While with the array

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void)
{
    char str[15] = "a string";
    
    printf("I can modify the data...\n");
    *(str+1) = 'W';
    
    printf("But not the pointer...!\n");
    str++;
    
    printf("%s\n", str);
    
    return 0;
}

On linux I got output:

Code:

linux05:/home/users/std10093>gcc -Wall px.c -o px
px.c: In function 'main':
px.c:11: error: lvalue required as increment operand

and on windows

Code:

main.c: In function `main':
main.c:11: error: wrong type argument to increment
make[2]: *** [build/Debug/Cygwin-Windows/main.o] Error 1
make[1]: *** [.build-conf] Error 2
make: *** [.build-impl] Error 2

Hope that helps!

This code that you posted is actually guaranteed not to work.
Arrays cannot be reassigned, because that's illegal. If arrays were pointers, then it would be legal. str++; is:

str = str + 1;

which means that this requires array assignment. With a pointer, this operation is fine, though it's not guaranteed to point to a dereferenceable location. In other words, you can do this:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <ctype.h>

int main(void) {
   char foo[] = "My sample string.";

   for (char *bar = foo; *bar != '\0'; bar++) {
      *bar = toupper(*bar);
   }
   printf("%s\n", foo);
   
   return 0;
}

But you cannot increment foo here, because foo is an array type. Try, and you will get that error. foo is the wrong type to increment.

Try reading this FAQ answer.

Originally Posted by whiteflags

I'd prefer to say that a pointer can change its string literal. I wouldn't really say that, it sounds awkward, but the point is that string literal should be pointed to, it doesn't own it's own pointer and the data itself doesn't really decay into a pointer. A string literal is actually "This" or "this" -- objects of type char[5] -- the data proper.

The more you know something, the easier you can explain. I believe that you have a good knowledge, so rephrase what you said.

Originally Posted by whiteflags

p can be reassigned, because it is a pointer.

Ι believe I said that too.

Originally Posted by whiteflags

I will even link a FAQ answer later that shows the difference between a pointer pointing to an array object and an array itself with pictures.

That is what I am trying to say... but thanks for the FAQ, since I didn't know about this page.

Originally Posted by whiteflags

This code that you posted is actually guaranteed not to work.
Arrays cannot be reassigned, because that's illegal. If arrays were pointers, then it would be legal. str++; is:

str = str + 1;

which means that this requires array assignment. With a pointer, this operation is fine, though it's not guaranteed to point to a dereferenceable location. In other words, you can do this:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <ctype.h>

int main(void) {
   char foo[] = "My sample string.";

   for (char *bar = foo; *bar != '\0'; bar++) {
      *bar = toupper(*bar);
   }
   printf("%s\n", foo);
   
   return 0;
}

But you cannot increment foo here, because foo is an array type. Try, and you will get that error. foo is the wrong type to increment.

Exactly! The code I posted was for demonstration of which you can do and what you can't! I thought this was clear by the printfs

However, I like your example, so I am going to augment my upload on my page with your example and the faq link. Of course you will get the credits

EDIT: Here it is.