Printing an array of string

Hello,

why does the function below print the second element "Jim" rather than the first "Hanna"?

Code:

---

#define PERSONS_NUM 4

char Names[PERSONS_NUM][40] = {
        "Hanna",
        "Jim",
        "Gregory",
        "Will"
};

void PrintString(char* c)
{
        while (*c) {
                putchar(*c);
                c++;
        }
}

int main(void)
{
        PrintString(&Names[0][40]);
}

---

I am correct by using a 2d array for a static list of names?

Hi Serge,

The following Stack Overflow article should help explains things to you.
Initializing 2D char array in C - Stack Overflow

also check out this site article.
2D character array-Declaration and initialization-C tutorials | Codingeek

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by complexnumber

Hi Serge,

The following Stack Overflow article should help explains things to you.
Initializing 2D char array in C - Stack Overflow

also check out this site article.
2D character array-Declaration and initialization-C tutorials | Codingeek

---

OK, thank you for the links!

I still don't understand why array of chars are not zeroed, but changing the index to -1 prints the first element.

Quote:

---

PrintString(&Names[-1][40]);

---

My question is it a safe way of doing it if I need to store labels for the rows (first index) of an integer array? I am unsure about the negative index.

Hi Serge,

There are a few issues with your code... I'll go through some examples here

Code:

---

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



#define PERSONS_NUM 4

char Names[PERSONS_NUM][40] = {
    "Hanna",
    "Jim",
    "Gregory",
    "Will"
};

/* when passing in a 2d array you need to use the following
    syntax. It's all memory....*/
void PrintString(char c[][40])
{
/* your loop is a mess. Use the following */
   
    int counter;
    counter = 0;
    while(counter < PERSONS_NUM)
    {
                /* putchar is the wrong function to use..I suggest
                              puts() */
        puts(c[counter]);
        counter++;
    }


}

int main(void)
{
        /* you only need to pass in the name of the array.
          The name of the array is a pointer to the first
          element of the array */
    PrintString(Names);
        return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}

---

I've compiled and run the above code using clang on MacOS. It should also work with other compilers

Remember, that it's all memory. An array name is a pointer to the first element of the array!

I hope this helps.