C, Segmentation fault while using dynamic array in struct - c

I'm trying to add new element to dynamic array in C (I know that I must free all memory. I will do it later), but I get this error every time:
But, what is strange, if I compile from terminal, like that, code works properly.
So, where is the error and how i can beat it?
Thank you!
All my code:
main.c
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
typedef struct vector
{
int size;
int *array;
int alreadyIn;
}vector;
vector *vectorInit(int size)
{
vector *newVec = (vector *)malloc(sizeof(vector));
if(!newVec){printf("No memory!\n"); return NULL;}
newVec->size = size;
newVec->array = (int *)malloc(size * sizeof(int));
return newVec;
}
void allocNewMemory(vector *vect, int howMuch)
{
vect->array = (int *)realloc(vect->array ,(vect->size + howMuch) * sizeof(int));
vect->size += howMuch;
}
void pushBack(vector *vect, int number)
{
int howMuch = 5;
if(vect && vect->alreadyIn < vect->size)
{
vect->array[vect->alreadyIn] = number;
vect->alreadyIn++;
}
else
{
printf("Alloc new memory for %d elements...\n", howMuch);
allocNewMemory(vect, howMuch);
pushBack(vect, number);
}
}
void printVector(vector *vect)
{
for (int i = 0; i < vect->alreadyIn; i++)
{
printf("%d ", vect->array[i]);
}
printf("\n");
}
int main()
{
int startSize = 4;
vector * vec = vectorInit(startSize);
for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
{
pushBack(vec, i+1);
}
printVector(vec);
return 0;
}

You never initialize the alreadyIn member in the structure. That means its value will be indeterminate (and seemingly garbage or random).
You need to explicitly initialize it to zero:
vector *vectorInit(int size)
{
vector *newVec = malloc(sizeof(vector));
if(!newVec)
{
printf("No memory!\n");
return NULL;
}
newVec->size = size;
newVec->array = malloc(size * sizeof(int));
newVec->alreadyIn = 0; // Remember to set this to zero
return newVec;
}
This problem should have been easy to detect in the debugger.
Also note that I removed the casts from malloc. One should not cast the result of malloc, or really any function returning void *.

Related

C how to return arrays from multiple functions?

I am trying to make a program that first creates an array in another function, returns it and then calls another function that shuffles the contents of the array and returns it. However I am struggling to do this in C since I do not quite understand the array pointer system that has to be used here.
So far my code doesnt return the values 1-20 from makeArray() but instead returns an array full of 0s and I have a feeling it has to do with the c's array pointer system.
Any help would greatly be appreciated! Thank you in advance
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <time.h>
int arrShuffle();
int arrShuffle(int * arr) {
int arr[21];
// shuffle array
for(int j=0; j<20; j++) {
int randInd = (rand() % 20) + 1;
int temp = arr[j];
arr[j] = arr[randInd];
arr[randInd] = temp;
}
return arr;
}
int makeArray() {
int arr[21];
// make array of 1-20
for(int i=0; i < 20; i++) {
arr[i] = i + 1;
}
return arr;
}
void main() {
int *orgArr;
int *modArr;
srand(time(NULL));
orgArr = makeArray();
for(int i=0; i < 20; i++) {
printf("OrgArr: %d\n", orgArr);
}
modArr = arrShuffle(orgArr);
}
You cannot use variables with automatic storage (aka local ones). You must allocate the array so the memory remains valid after the function ends:
int* makeArray() {
int *arr = calloc(21, sizeof *a);
// make array of 1-20
for(int i=0; i < 20; i++) {
arr[i] = i + 1;
}
return arr;
}
Remember to release the array when it is no longer used:
int main() {
int *orgArr;
...
orgArr = makeArray();
...
free(orgArr);
}
As tstanisl pointed out in their answer, a possible solution is to use dynamic memory allocation. My answer, instead, will give you yet another solution: using an array passed by the caller.
NOTE: both solutions are valid and their usefulness depends on the specific needs of your program. There's no "right" universal solution.
void makeArray(int arr[], size_t len) {
for (size_t i = 0; i < len; i += 1) {
arr[i] = (int) (i + 1);
}
}
void cloneAndModifyArray(const int orig[], int new[], size_t len) {
for (size_t i = 0; i < len; i += 1) {
new[i] = orig[i] * 2; // or some other modification
}
}
And you use it like this:
#define ARR_LEN (100)
int main(void) {
int arr[ARR_LEN];
makeArray(arr, ARR_LEN);
int modified_arr[ARR_LEN];
cloneAndModifyArray(arr, modified_arr, ARR_LEN);
return 0;
}

Segmentation fault problem in C (core dumped)

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
struct arrayADT {
int *A;
int size;
int length;
int *B;
int arr3;
};
struct arrayADT * MergeArray(struct arrayADT *arr1, struct arrayADT *arr2) { //we create thus in heap cuz we need to be able to use these in main function
struct arrayADT *arr3 = (struct arrayADT *)malloc((sizeof(struct arrayADT)));
int i, j, k;
i = j = k = 0;
while(i < arr1->length && j < arr1->length ) {
if(arr1->A[i] < arr2->A[j]) {
arr3->A[k] = arr1->A[i];
k++;
i++;
}
else {
arr3->A[k] = arr2->A[j];
k++;
j++;
}
}
for(; i<arr1->length ; i++) {
arr3->A[k] = arr1->A[i];
k++;
}
for(; j < arr2->length ; j++) {
arr3->A[k] = arr2->A[j];
k++;
}
arr3->length = arr1->length + arr2->length;
arr3->length = 10;
}
void main() {
struct arrayADT arr;
printf("Enter the size of an array");
scanf("%d", &arr.size);
arr.A = (struct arrayADT *)malloc(arr.size * sizeof(int));
arr.length = 0;
int n;
printf("enter the number of elements in an array");
scanf("%d", &n);
printf("enter the elements");
for(int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
scanf("%d", &arr.A[i]);
}
arr.length = n;
display(arr);
printf("Enter second array");
int j;
struct arrayADT *B = (struct arrayADT *)malloc((sizeof(struct arrayADT)));
for(j = 0; j < arr.length; j++) {
scanf("%d", &B[j]);
}
struct arrayADT *arr3 = (struct arrayADT *)malloc(sizeof(struct arrayADT));
arr3 = MergeArray(&arr, &B);
display(*arr3);
I was looking to merge these arrays using heap memory and I am getting segmentation fault. I am new to C programming with pointers and I have been struck here it would be so helpful if I passed this barrier with your help.
And I am not getting where my error lies it would be helpful if someone specifies that too, so that I can avoid these errors in future.
PS: I am using minGW compiler.
In general, your code is rater unorganized. There are several cases for undefined behaviour, for example you don't scan in the second array correctly. The most probably candidate for your segmentaion fault is here:
struct arrayADT *arr3 = (struct arrayADT *)malloc((sizeof(struct arrayADT)));
This will give you an uninitialized chunk of memory. The length and size could of arr3 be anything, and its data field A does not point to valid memory. Accessing it will likely crash.
You have three arrays in your code. You construct each step by step and you treat each differently. That leads to errors easily. Let's go about this more systematically.
Let's create a struct type for a fixed-size array: The maximum size must be given on creation and cannot change. The actual length of the array may be anything from 0 to its maximum size.
typedef struct Array Array;
struct Array {
int *value; // data array
int length; // actual length, 0 <= length <= size
int size; // maximum capacity
};
We create such arrays on the heap and because initializing the members is error-prone, we write a constructor:
Array *array_create(int size)
{
Array *array = calloc(1, sizeof(*array));
array->size = size;
array->value = calloc(size, sizeof(*array->value));
return array;
}
This function creates an empty array for at most size integers. If we allocate memory, we must de-allocate it later, so let's write a corresponding destructor function, which cleans up the ressources:
void array_destroy(Array *array)
{
if (array) {
free(array->value);
free(array);
}
}
After destroying an array, it can no longer be used, just as with memory after calling free() on it.
The array is at first empty, so let's write a function to add elements at its end if there is room:
void array_push(Array *array, int x)
{
if (array->length < array->size) {
array->value[array->length++] = x;
}
}
And a function to print it:
void array_print(const Array *array)
{
printf("[");
for (int i = 0; i < array->length; i++) {
if (i) printf(", ");
printf("%d", array->value[i]);
}
printf("]\n");
}
Now you can create arrays like so:
Array *a = array_create(10);
for (int i = 0; i < a->size; i++) {
array_push(a, i);
}
array_print(a);
array_destroy(a);
Your merge function will be simpler, too. Here's a full example. (But is uses generated array, not arrays typed in by the user.)
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
typedef struct Array Array;
struct Array {
int *value;
int length;
int size;
};
Array *array_create(int size)
{
Array *array = calloc(1, sizeof(*array));
array->size = size;
array->value = calloc(size, sizeof(*array->value));
return array;
}
void array_destroy(Array *array)
{
if (array) {
free(array->value);
free(array);
}
}
void array_push(Array *array, int x)
{
if (array->length < array->size) {
array->value[array->length++] = x;
}
}
void array_print(const Array *array)
{
printf("[");
for (int i = 0; i < array->length; i++) {
if (i) printf(", ");
printf("%d", array->value[i]);
}
printf("]\n");
}
Array *merge(Array *a, Array *b)
{
Array *res = array_create(a->length + b->length);
int i = 0;
int j = 0;
while(i < a->length && j < b->length) {
if(a->value[i] < b->value[j]) {
array_push(res, a->value[i++]);
} else {
array_push(res, b->value[j++]);
}
}
while(i < a->length) {
array_push(res, a->value[i++]);
}
while(j < b->length) {
array_push(res, b->value[j++]);
}
return res;
}
int main(void)
{
Array *a = array_create(10);
Array *b = array_create(6);
Array *c;
for (int i = 0; i < a->size; i++) {
array_push(a, 1 + 3 * i);
}
for (int i = 0; i < b->size; i++) {
array_push(b, 4 + 2 * i);
}
array_print(a);
array_print(b);
c = merge(a, b);
array_print(c);
array_destroy(a);
array_destroy(b);
array_destroy(c);
return 0;
}
If you've read so far, here's the lowdown:
Organzie your code. That applies to code layout as much as writing small, generally applicable functions instead of doing everything "by hand". (The array type above is a bit on the fence: It uses functions, but getting at the data is still done via accessing the struct fields. You could even change the szie and length, whixh shouldn't really happen.)
Enable compiler warnings with -Wall. You will get useful information about potential (and often actual) errors.
Good luck!

Is it possible to dynamically allocate 2-D array in c with using calloc() once?

All the solutions I have seen online has calloc() function used twice, is it possible to do with only using it once?
The below code is not printing the correct array elements
int **ptr;
//To allocate the memory
ptr=(int **)calloc(n,sizeof(int)*m);
printf("\nEnter the elments: ");
//To access the memory
for(i=0;i<n;i++)
{
for(j=0;j<m;j++)
{
scanf("%d",ptr[i][j]);
}
}
Since C99 you can use pointers to VLAs (Variable Length Arrays):
int n, m;
scanf("%d %d", &n, &m);
int (*ptr)[m] = malloc(sizeof(int [n][m]));
for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
{
for (j = 0; j < m; j++)
{
scanf("%d", &ptr[i][j]); // Notice the address of operator (&) for scanf
}
}
free(ptr); // Call free only once
If it's just about minimising the number of calls to memory allocation functions you can created such a jagged array like this:
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
int ** alloc_jagged_2d_array_of_int(size_t n, size_t m)
{
int ** result = NULL;
size_t t = 0;
t += n * sizeof *result;
t += n*m * sizeof **result;
result = calloc(1, t);
if (NULL != result)
{
for (size_t i = 0; i < n; ++i)
{
result[i] = ((int*) (result + n)) + i*m;
}
}
return result;
}
Use it like this:
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
int ** alloc_jagged_2d_array_of_int(size_t, size_t);
int main(void)
{
int result = EXIT_SUCCESS;
int ** p = alloc_jagged_2d_array_of_int(2, 3);
if (NULL == p)
{
perror("alloc_jagged_2d_array_of_int() failed");
result = EXIT_FAILURE;
}
else
{
for (size_t i = 0; i < 2; ++i)
{
for (size_t j = 0; j < 3; ++j)
{
p[i][j] = (int) (i*j);
}
}
}
/* Clean up. */
free(p);
return result;
}

Invalid assignment on dynamic array C

Hello i am making a program in C which stores integers on a dynamic array which uses realloc every time it has to add a new element, i declare the array on the main:
int *abundants;
int count = abundant_numbers(&abundants);
once finished, i want to pass the modified array to another function to make other calculations
int abundant_numbers(int *abundants[]){
if (!(*abundants = (int*) malloc(sizeof(int)))){
perror("malloc error!\n");
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
*abundants[0] = 12; //we know the very first abundant number
int count = 1, n = 14;
while (n < MAX_NUM){
if (is_abundant(n)) {
if (!(*abundants = (int*) realloc(*abundants,(count+1) * sizeof(int)))){
perror("Error in realloc\n");
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
*abundants[count] = n;
count++;
}
n += 2; //no odd abundant numbers
}
return count;
}
the first time it enters on the if statement gives no problems, but the second time on the assignment i get a Segmentation Fault: 11, when accesing abundants[2], i dont understand why its not a valid position if it worked fine for abundants[1]
Thanks.
Your problem is a simple one in these lines:
*abundants[0] = 12;
*abundants[count] = n;
The indexing operator [] has higher precedence than the dereference operator *. So here you're treating your abundants as an array pointer directly and try to dereference the element. What you want instead is
(*abundants)[0] = 12;
(*abundants)[count] = n;
This should solve your problem, the remaining code will work correctly.
That being said, I would strongly suggest to use some data structure like this:
struct dynarr
{
size_t count;
size_t capacity;
int entries[];
}
and realloc() in larger chunks, always when your count reaches your capacity. realloc() is costly and you risk fragmenting your heap space in a typical heap-based implementation. Your code could look for example like this:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#define MAX_NUM 1024
int is_abundant(int x) { return x; } // simple fake to make it compile, replace
struct dynarr
{
size_t count;
size_t capacity;
int entries[];
};
struct dynarr *createarr(size_t capacity)
{
struct dynarr *arr = malloc(sizeof(*arr) + capacity * sizeof(int));
if (!arr)
{
perror("malloc error!\n");
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
arr->count = 0;
arr->capacity = capacity;
return arr;
}
struct dynarr *expandarr(struct dynarr *arr)
{
size_t capacity = arr->capacity * 2;
struct dynarr *newarr = realloc(arr,
sizeof(*newarr) + capacity * sizeof(int));
if (!newarr)
{
perror("malloc error!\n");
free(arr);
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
newarr->capacity = capacity;
return newarr;
}
struct dynarr *abundant_numbers(void){
struct dynarr *abundants = createarr(32);
abundants->entries[abundants->count++] = 12; //we know the very first abundant number
int n = 14;
while (n < MAX_NUM){
if (is_abundant(n)) {
if (abundants->count == abundants->capacity)
{
abundants = expandarr(abundants);
}
abundants->entries[abundants->count++] = n;
}
n += 2; //no odd abundant numbers
}
return abundants;
}
int main(void)
{
struct dynarr *abundants = abundant_numbers();
for (size_t i = 0; i < abundants->count; ++i)
{
printf("%d ", abundants->entries[i]);
}
free(abundants);
putchar('\n');
}
the biggest problem is that the code is expecting an array of pointers to int.
But the code is only producing an array of `int`s
And the code contains several 'magic' numbers (2, 12, 14)
int *abundants = NULL;
int count = abundant_numbers(&abundants);
int abundant_numbers(int *abundants[])
{
if (!( abundants = malloc(sizeof(int))))
{
perror("malloc error!\n");
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
abundants[0] = 12; //we know the very first abundant number
int count = 1;
int n = 14;
while (n < MAX_NUM)
{
if (is_abundant(n))
{
void *temp;
if (!( temp = realloc(abundants,(count+1) * sizeof(int))))
{
perror("Error in realloc\n");
free( abundants );
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
// implied else, realloc successful
abundants = temp;
abundants[count] = n;
count++;
}
n += 2; //no odd abundant numbers
}
return count;
}
However, since MAX_NUM is a known value,
it would be better to just allocate that much memory in the beginning.
And strongly suggest to NOT have 'special' code
for special cases of the value of 'n'.
And give 'magic' numbers meaningful names, suggest via #define statements.
sample code follows:
#include <stdlib.h> // malloc(), free()
// use whatever value your program needs in the following statement.
#define MAX_NUM 1024
#define FIRST_ABUNDANT 12
#define STEP_AMOUNT 2
// prototypes
int abundant_numbers( int * );
int main( void )
{
int *abundants = NULL;
if (!( abundants = malloc(sizeof(int) * MAX_NUM)))
{
perror("malloc error!\n");
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
// implied else, malloc successful
int count = abundant_numbers( abundants );
} // end function: main
int abundant_numbers( int *abundants )
{
int count = 0;
for( int n=FIRST_ABUNDANT; n < MAX_NUM; n+=STEP_AMOUNT )
{
if (is_abundant(n))
{
abundants[count] = n;
count++;
}
}
return count;
} // end function: abundant_numbers

2D Dynamic Array Allocation and Passing by Reference in C

Can someone wiser than I please explain to me why the following code segment faults? There is no problem allocating the memory by reference, but as soon as I try to assign anything or free by reference, segfault occurs.
I'm sure I'm missing some fundamental concept about pointers and passing by reference, hopefully some light can be shed.
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
void allocateMatrix(float ***);
void fillMatrix(float ***);
void freeMatrix(float **);
int main() {
float **matrix;
allocateMatrix(&matrix); // this function calls and returns OK
fillMatrix(&matrix); // this function will segfault
freeMatrix(matrix); // this function will segfault
exit(0);
}
void allocateMatrix(float ***m) {
int i;
m = malloc(2*sizeof(float*));
for (i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
m[i] = malloc(2*sizeof(float));
}
return;
}
void fillMatrix(float ***m) {
int i,j;
for (i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
for (j = 0; j < 2; j++) {
(*m)[i][j] = 1.0; // SEGFAULT
}
}
return;
}
void freeMatrix(float **m) {
int i;
for (i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
free(m[i]); // SEGFAULT
}
free(m);
return;
}
One set of problems is here:
void allocateMatrix(float ***m) {
int i;
m = malloc(2*sizeof(float*));
for (i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
m[i] = malloc(2*sizeof(float));
}
return;
}
You need to assign to *m to get the information back to the calling code, and also you will need to allocate to (*m)[i] in the loop.
void allocateMatrix(float ***m)
{
*m = malloc(2*sizeof(float*));
for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
(*m)[i] = malloc(2*sizeof(float));
}
There's at least a chance that the other functions are OK. The fillMatrix() is written and invoked correctly, though it could be simplified by losing the third * from the pointer:
void fillMatrix(float **m)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
{
for (int j = 0; j < 2; j++)
m[i][j] = 1.0;
}
}
It might be advisable to pass the triple-pointer to freeMatrix() so that you can zero the pointer in the calling function:
void freeMatrix(float ***m)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
free((*m)[i]);
free(*m);
*m = 0;
}
Calling then becomes:
allocateMatrix(&matrix);
fillMatrix(matrix);
freeMatrix(&matrix);
Good use of indirection. Just try to be consistent with format. It improves readability and reduces errors. e.g.
function calls:
allocateMatrix &matrix
fillMatrix &matrix
freeMatrix &matrix
declarations
void allocateMatrix float ***m
void fillMatrix float ***m
void freeMatrix float ***m
handling
(*m)[i] = malloc(2 * sizeof(float))
(*m)[i][j] = 1.0
free (*m)[i]
Returning of pointer from your function is probably the better way to allocate memory:
float **allocateMatrix() {
int i;
float **m;
m = malloc(2*sizeof(float *));
for (i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
m[i] = malloc(2*sizeof(float));
}
return m;
}
int main() {
float **m;
m = allocateMatrix();
/* do other things
fillMatrix(matrix);
freeMatrix(&matrix);
*/
}

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