loading array values directly

[jacek]

what is the * for in the first statement?

namelist is an array of strings and strings in C are of char * type.

don't I need to write char *namelist[][] (two []-s)?

No, futhermore you can't declare a multidimentional array without specifying dimentions.

int wont_work[][] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} }; // error
int will_work[][3] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} };

int wont_work[][] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} }; // error
int will_work[][3] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} };

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is the comma necessary before the closing brace?

No.

is the semicolon necessary after the closing brace?

Yes.

[jamadagni]

strings in C are of char * type.

Do I read that as "strings in C are of the nature of pointers to char-length memory spaces"?

futhermore you can't declare a multidimentional array without specifying dimentions.

int wont_work[][] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} }; // error
int will_work[][3] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} };

int wont_work[][] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} }; // error
int will_work[][3] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} };

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How come you still don't need to specify the first dimension? And if I declare char *namelist[] and include lots of strings should it not be mandatory that I specify the second dimension - i.e. the maximum length of strings?

[jacek]

Do I read that as "strings in C are of the nature of pointers to char-length memory spaces"?

Yes.

How come you still don't need to specify the first dimension?

It's one of those inconsistencies and in fact arrays are evil.

And if I declare char *namelist[] and include lots of strings should it not be mandatory that I specify the second dimension - i.e. the maximum length of strings?

Because you declare an array of pointers, not a two dimensional array.

[wysota]

It's one of those inconsistencies and in fact arrays are evil.

Isn't that because you provide the dimension of the array right in the assignment? And furthermore, is that a standard or a compiler extension to allow such a declaration and assignment statement?

[jacek]

is that a standard or a compiler extension to allow such a declaration and assignment statement?

K&R use that form of assignment in their book.