Initialize a dynamic array in C

Question

How do I achieve the dynamic equivalent of this static array initialization in C?

char c[] = {}; // Sets all members to '\0';

In other words, create a dynamic array with all values initialised to the termination character. Is the below method correct? Is there any better method?

str = (char*)malloc(length*sizeof(char));
memset(str, 0, length);

Thanks!

your first piece of code is setting a char to 0 instead of a char array... {} actually is not a array initializer but a more general. it can be used to initialize primitives, structs, unions, and of course array of them. — Jason Hu
– Jason Hu, Commented Aug 15, 2015 at 5:33

Purag · Accepted Answer · 2015-08-15 05:21:22Z

3

The function you're looking for is calloc.

In your case, you'd use it as such:

char * str = calloc(length, sizeof(char));

answered Aug 15, 2015 at 5:21

Purag

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