Using arrays?

Im making a database program, and I think I can use an array for it.

Rather than list the whole specification, ill just use the adding a record function as an example.

I need to add a record, where each record consits of :

Code:

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typedef struct {

    char surname[21],  /* student surname  */

    char firstname[21], /* buffer to receive message */

    char studentID[7],  /* student identifier */

    int  studentAge    /* age of student in years */

    } STUDENT_RECORD;

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How do I create a suitable array (?) for storing an undefined amount of records?

It's easy in C++, but in C, you need to be mindful of how many elements in your array you have.
Start by allocating a number of elements with malloc, and keep the size known!
Every time you add a record, make sure you have enough space in your array to store the record. If not, use realloc to increase the space.

With dynamic memory allocation? Resize an array of records as you need them is one approach, see malloc() and realloc().

Or allocate a reasonable amount of records, with a limit on the amount of records that your program could handle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zacs7

Or allocate a reasonable amount of records, with a limit on the amount of records that your program could handle.

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Now that's silly and not very dynamic at all. Certainly not the way a database works.

Ooh, but if it's for a school project -- and the school project said, "Timmy only needs to store up to 50 students". Then it'd be a goer, it's only a possible suggestion :)

Didn't say it had to be dynamic ;) - just '[a] suitable array'.

Well,

Quote:

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Im making a database program, and I think I can use an array for it.

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Making a database program requires a dynamic array, no?

I see your point, still doesn't eliminate my possible solution, no? :)
You could also just store it in a file -- no DMA required ;)

Not necessarily. You could, for example, store all your data in a database file, and not store more than the single entry from the database you are currently looking at in memory.

But you could also build a database where you store ALL entries in memory, and only store to disk when you finish - depends on your approach.

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Mats

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zacs7

I see your point, still doesn't eliminate my possible solution, no? :)
You could also just store it in a file -- no DMA required ;)

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How about this then? :D

Quote:

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How do I create a suitable array (?) for storing an undefined amount of records?

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Note the word "undefined." :)

> and I think I can use an array for it.

Note the word think :)

Yes yes, no arguing. You win, you're member of the month for next month.

Of coruse, you can't create an array to store an undefined number of entries. You can have an array that you re-size using realloc, but it will, at any given time, always have a set size.

[This also applies in C++, it's just more hidden when you use things like std::vector].

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Mats

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zacs7

Yes yes, no arguing. You win, you're member of the month for next month.

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No, you're the member of the month. You have the title. Don't worry about that, you can have it :)
So now I suppose the OP needs to specify a little exactly what the intension is, what the program should do.