Initializing an array after declaration

Question

gcc 4.4.3 c89

I have the following code as a sample of what I am trying to do. I don\'t know the actual size of the array, until I enter the function. However, I don\'t

Answer 1

If you are using a global array then you need to know its size (or it's maximum size) at the time you declare it. E.g.

char *devices_names[MAX_DEVICES];

If you can't do this then you have no option but to use a pointer and dynamically allocated memory.

E.g.

char **devices_names = 0;

void fill_devices(size_t num_devices)
{
    devices_names = malloc( num_devices * sizeof *devices_names );

    /* ... */
}

Of course this has implications such as how do you prevent people accessing the array before it has been allocated and when do you free it?