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Thread: loading array values directly

  1. #1
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    Default initializing array values upon declaration

    I want to load 9 predetermined strings and 8 predetermined integers to two different arrays. I have seen code of the form:
    Qt Code:
    1. char *namelist[] = {"Ram", "Shyam", "Dhyaan",};
    2. int numlist[] = {0, 1, 4, 2, 5, 3, 6, 11,};
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    But I want to know some things:
    1. what is the * for in the first statement?
    2. since a string is already a character array and I need to create an array of strings, don't I need to write char *namelist[][] (two []-s)?
    3. is the comma necessary before the closing brace?
    4. is the semicolon necessary after the closing brace?
    Last edited by jamadagni; 7th January 2006 at 16:45. Reason: making title clearer
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: initializing array values upon declaration

    Quote Originally Posted by jamadagni
    what is the * for in the first statement?
    namelist is an array of strings and strings in C are of char * type.

    Quote Originally Posted by jamadagni
    don't I need to write char *namelist[][] (two []-s)?
    No, futhermore you can't declare a multidimentional array without specifying dimentions.

    Qt Code:
    1. int wont_work[][] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} }; // error
    2. int will_work[][3] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} };
    To copy to clipboard, switch view to plain text mode 

    Quote Originally Posted by jamadagni
    is the comma necessary before the closing brace?
    No.

    Quote Originally Posted by jamadagni
    is the semicolon necessary after the closing brace?
    Yes.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: initializing array values upon declaration

    Quote Originally Posted by jacek
    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.
    Qt Code:
    1. int wont_work[][] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} }; // error
    2. int will_work[][3] = { {1,2,3}, {4,5,6} };
    To copy to clipboard, switch view to plain text mode 
    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?
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    Default Re: initializing array values upon declaration

    Quote Originally Posted by jamadagni
    Do I read that as "strings in C are of the nature of pointers to char-length memory spaces"?
    Yes.

    Quote Originally Posted by jamadagni
    How come you still don't need to specify the first dimension?
    It's one of those inconsistencies and in fact arrays are evil.

    Quote Originally Posted by jamadagni
    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.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: initializing array values upon declaration

    Quote Originally Posted by jacek
    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?

  6. #6
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    Default Re: initializing array values upon declaration

    Quote Originally Posted by wysota
    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.

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