Returning an array using C

Question

I am relatively new to C and I need some help with methods dealing with arrays. Coming from Java programming, I am used to being able to say int [] method()in o

Answer 1

You can do it using heap memory (through malloc() invocation) like other answers reported here, but you must always manage the memory (use free() function everytime you call your function). You can also do it with a static array:

char* returnArrayPointer() 
{
static char array[SIZE];

// do something in your array here

return array; 
}

You can than use it without worrying about memory management.

int main() 
{
char* myArray = returnArrayPointer();
/* use your array here */
/* don't worry to free memory here */
}

In this example you must use static keyword in array definition to set to application-long the array lifetime, so it will not destroyed after return statement. Of course, in this way you occupy SIZE bytes in your memory for the entire application life, so size it properly!