How to declare array of structs in C

Question

I am having trouble declaring an array of structs prior to populating them with data.

My struct looks like this:

typedef struct {
  uint8_t * p_data;     ///< Pointer to the buffer holding the data.
  uint8_t   length;     ///< Number of bytes to transfer.
  uint8_t   operation;  ///< Device address combined with transfer direction.
  uint8_t   flags;      ///< Transfer flags (see @ref NRF_TWI_MNGR_NO_STOP).
} nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_t;

And in my code I am trying to declare the array like this:

struct nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_t start_read_transfer[10];

However I get a compile error:

array type has incomplete element type 'struct nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_t'

I have searched around as I thought should be a common thing, but I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. Maybe because one of the elements is a pointer? But that pointer should be a fixed size right?

Many thanks

nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_t start_read_transfer[10]; - i.e. no need for struct there, you are already typedefing it. — SergeyA
– SergeyA, Commented Feb 28, 2019 at 21:43
There is no struct nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_t type defined. Your typedef is defining type named nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_t, which happens to be a struct. — Eugene Sh.
– Eugene Sh., Commented Feb 28, 2019 at 21:44

SergeyA · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-28 21:49:25Z

5

It looks like some explanations are in order. This code

typedef struct {
    //...
} nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_t;

Already defines a type which can be used directly. In contrast,

struct nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_struct {
    //...
};

Would define a struct name, and to access it you'd need to indicate that you are referring to a struct.

As a result, given two definitions above, you should define your arrays differently:

nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_t arr[10]; // if using typedef
struct nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_struct arr2[10]; // if using struct with no typedef

And just in case you are wondering,

struct {
    //...
} nrf_twi_mngr_transfer_obj;

Defines an object of anonymous struct type.

answered Feb 28, 2019 at 21:49

SergeyA

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1 Comment

bgarrood Over a year ago

Perfect. i was overthinking it.. Thank you!

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