how to return a char array from a function in C

Question

I want to return a character array from a function. Then I want to print it in main. how can I get the character array back in main function?

Answer 1

Lazy notes in comments.

#include 
// for malloc
#include 

// you need the prototype
char *substring(int i,int j,char *ch);


int main(void /* std compliance */)
{
  int i=0,j=2;
  char s[]="String";
  char *test;
  // s points to the first char, S
  // *s "is" the first char, S
  test=substring(i,j,s); // so s only is ok
  // if test == NULL, failed, give up
  printf("%s",test);
  free(test); // you should free it
  return 0;
}


char *substring(int i,int j,char *ch)
{
  int k=0;
  // avoid calc same things several time
  int n = j-i+1; 
  char *ch1;
  // you can omit casting - and sizeof(char) := 1
  ch1=malloc(n*sizeof(char));
  // if (!ch1) error...; return NULL;

  // any kind of check missing:
  // are i, j ok? 
  // is n > 0... ch[i] is "inside" the string?...
  while(k