Array of strings in C

What is the proper way to program an array of strings in C (not C++)?

I have a list of first names and I want to store them in an array. A string is an array of chars, so is an array of strings an array of array of chars? ... dizzy!!!

Please advise.

szill.

Yes, you could use an array of arrays, just make sure that you stay consistent with which number represents the individual chars and which number represents the individual strings. There are a lot of confusing aspect to using 2-dimensional arrays, and they've been discussed frequently, so search the board before posting any problems. You may also find the sites tutorial on C-style strings helpful.

Welcome to the boards.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sean_mackrory

Yes, you could use an array of arrays, just make sure that you stay consistent with which number represents the individual chars and which number represents the individual strings. There are a lot of confusing aspect to using 2-dimensional arrays, and they've been discussed frequently, so search the board before posting any problems. You may also find the sites tutorial on C-style strings helpful.

Welcome to the boards.

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I know they are confusing, that's why I asked for help. :)

I searched the boards, they weren't helpful for what I am doing. Could you please post how to define an array of strings, and how to use? That's what I am asking.

thanks.

szill

Define:

Code:

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char strings[10][80];

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Use:

Code:

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char *first_string = &strings[0][0]; // Sets a pointer to the first string
char *second_string = &strings[1][0]; // Sets a pointer to the second string

---

Thanks, i will give it a go. Is there a way to define a string as a typedef, and delcare variables as type string?

please advise.

thanks.

szill

Yeah, you could do that. Declare your data for a string in a struct, and then use a typedef just to make life easier.

You could do something like this easily enough:

Code:

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itsme@dreams:~/C$ cat strtype.c
#include <stdio.h>

typedef char * string;

int main(void)
{
  string strs[5];  // Make 5 strings
  int i;

  strs[0] = "first string";
  strs[1] = "second string";
  strs[2] = "third string";
  strs[3] = "this is the fourth string";
  strs[4] = "and finally this is the fifth string";

  for(i = 0;i < 5;++i)
    puts(strs[i]);

  return 0;
}

---

Code:

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itsme@dreams:~/C$ ./strtype
first string
second string
third string
this is the fourth string
and finally this is the fifth string

---

Is that what you're looking for?

A simple design if you're looking at using constants known before hand, but I don't know that that sounds like what the OP is using.

[QUOTE=itsme86]You could do something like this easily enough:

Code:

---

itsme@dreams:~/C$ cat strtype.c
#include <stdio.h>

typedef char * string;

int main(void)
{
  string strs[5];  // Make 5 strings
  int i;

  strs[0] = "first string";
  strs[1] = "second string";
  strs[2] = "third string";
  strs[3] = "this is the fourth string";
  strs[4] = "and finally this is the fifth string";

  for(i = 0;i < 5;++i)
    puts(strs[i]);

  return 0;
}

---

That's very close. When i string copy (strcpy) into the array of string, the program crashes.

Code:

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char myOtherString[80];

strcpy(strs[0], "Bob");                // This will crash it
strcpy(strs[1], myOtherString);  // So will this method...

---

please advise.

thanks so much all.

szill

In itsme86's example each element in the array is a pointer to constant memory. So when you try to strcpy into that location it crashes because you aren't allowed to modify read only memory.

@itsme86: Many people feel it is bad form to typecast away a pointer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thantos

@itsme86: Many people feel it is bad form to typecast away a pointer.

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I know, and I agree. I was just answering what I thought was the OP's question. He specifically asked how to typecast it away, so that's what I did.

To the OP: If you want to use strcpy() with that typedef, you'll need to allocate some memory in which to store the strings. For example, you might start off by doing something like:

Code:

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for(i = 0;i < 5;++i)
  strs[i] = malloc(300);

---

Then you'd be able to strcpy() into the strs, but make sure to free() the strings when you're doing with them.

But like Thantos said, you're probably better off without the typedef and just learning how to use 2d arrays. It'll make the code a lot easier to understand when you go back to look at it in a few months.