CODEWITHSUNDEEP
carrayspointers
BratBart
BratBart

Reputation: 407

C programming. Array of pointers, and pointer to an array

Why I'm getting compiling error in following code? and What is the difference between int (*p)[4], int *p[4], and int *(p)[4]? 

#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
   int (*p)[4];// what is the difference between int (*p)[4],int *p[4], and int *(p)[4]
   int x=0;
   int y=1;
   int z=2;
   p[0]=&x;
   p[1]=&y;
   p[2]=&z;
   for(int i=0;i<3;++i){
      printf("%i\n",*p[i]);
   }
   return 0;
}

Upvotes: 0

Views: 73

Answers (3)

Aleksandar Makragić
Aleksandar Makragić

Reputation: 1997

This is array of 4 pointers: int *p[4]. So array will have 4 pointers, they point to int value. This is the same int *(p)[4].

As for int (*p)[4]; this is pointer to an array of 4 integers.

Upvotes: 1

mikedu95
mikedu95

Reputation: 1736

  • int (*p)[4]: (*p) is an array of 4 int => p pointer to an array (array of 4 int)
  • int *p[4] = int * p[4]: p is an array of 4 int *
  • int *(p)[4]: same as the second

In your case, you should the second form.

Upvotes: 1

R Sahu
R Sahu

Reputation: 206577

There is no difference between 

int *p[4];

and

int *(p)[4];

Both declare p to be an array of 4 pointers.

int x;
p[0] = &x;

is valid for both.

int (*p)[4];

declares p to be a pointer to an array of 4 ints.

You can get more details on the difference between

int *p[4];
int (*p)[4];

at C pointer to array/array of pointers disambiguation.

Upvotes: 2

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