arrays between functions, dependent on local variables

Here's essentially what my problem is:

In main, the program gets the user to enter two natural numbers, these are then passed to a function which creates an array with the larger of these two numbers as the maximum element, and does stuff to this array.
In main, I need access to this array again in order to print elements of it, and manipulate it etc.

e.g. if the user enters 5 and 7, then I need to create an array[7] in the function, do stuff to it, and then be able to use it in main again.

The only way I would really know how to make the array exist in both functions is to make it as a global variable, but as it's dependant on local variables in main (what the user inputs), I'm confused as to how I can make it so that I can use the array in both functions...

Or is there a way of changing the size of an array? So I could declare it globally, then change its size to whatever I need once the numbers have been entered.

Is there a way to do this?
Cheers for any help

Dynamically allocate the array according to the exact size you want, using malloc() (include stdlib.h).

Change the return on the function, so it's going to return the char * (the address of the new array, which can be it's name). You don't want to lose that address

When you are done with it, free(arrayname), to stop any memory "leaking" out. Always a great idea to follow.

Since you're new to this, I highly recommend you click on the C Tutorial tab, and go to that section and read it - and take notes. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by usernamer

e.g. if the user enters 5 and 7, then I need to create an array[7] in the function, do stuff to it, and then be able to use it in main again.

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As Adak mentioned, using malloc is called for here. Keep in mind that each function that manipulates your array must have some way to know its length. The two basic approaches are to end the array using a special marker of some kind (the approach used by strcpy, for example), or to pass the length of the array along with the array itself. Here is an example of the second approach:

Code:

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#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

// create array with length arrlen
void arrcreate(double **arr, int arrlen);

// set all elements to x
void arrsetall(double *arr, int arrlen, double x);

// release memory
void arrdestroy(double **arr);

int main()
{
    double *a = NULL;
    arrcreate(&a, 10000);
    arrsetall(a, 10000, 1.234);
    arrdestroy(&a);       
    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
}

void arrcreate(double **arr, int arrlen)
{
    if (*arr != NULL) {
        printf("arrcreate: argument 1 must be a NULL pointer\n");
        exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
    }
    *arr = malloc(arrlen * sizeof(**arr));
    if (*arr == NULL) {
        printf("arrcreate: allocation error\n");
        exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
    }
}

void arrsetall(double *arr, int arrlen, double x)
{
    for (int i=0; i < arrlen; i++)
        arr[i] = x;
}

void arrdestroy(double **arr)
{
    free(*arr);
    *arr = NULL;
}

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Thanks, think I've got it now.

Problem solved :D