initializing an array at declaration

if i have an array with 4 elements set to 0 i could declare it like this

Code:

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int my_array[5] = {0};

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however suppose i want to declare it with all the elements set to 100 why cant i do this

Code:

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int my_array[5] = {100};

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if i do the latter i sometimes get a warning that all elements might not be set even if i don't only the first element is set i have to declare and initialize it like this

Code:

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int my_array[5] = {100,100,100,100,100};

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is this just the way it is and if i have an array with lots of elements i would either have to hard code them all or use a for loop
many thanks
coop

When you're using an initializer list, every element that isn't explicitly defined defaults to zero.

Indeed, if you want anything other than zero, you either need to hardcode it or set it with a for loop.

GCC specifically has an extension that lets you specify a range, if you don't care about compiler portability:

Code:

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int my_array[5] = { [0 ... 4] = 100 };

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ok dumb question time im sure its just a coincidence in the example (because you used mine) you have three fullstops ([0 ... 4]) do the fullstops stand for 1, 2 and 3 or is it just you use three fullstops
sorry to be thick
coop

Oh, my bad, I didn't clarify. It's a specifier that (in this context) defines a range, and it has a formal name, "ellipsis". It's always "...", three full-stops with no white-space in-between.