passing struct array as parameter to a function - c

I am trying to set a array of structure in a array of structure. to this i have created a function. how ever i try it i am not able to do it.
struct polygon {
struct point polygonVertexes[100];
};
struct polygon polygons[800];
int polygonCounter = 0;
int setPolygonQuardinates(struct point polygonVertexes[]) {
memcpy(polygons[polygonCounter].polygonVertexes, polygonVertexes,4);
}
int main(){
struct point polygonPoints[100] = {points[point1], points[point2], points[point3], points[point4]};
setPolygonQuardinates(polygonPoints);
drawpolygon();
}
void drawpolygon() {
for (int i = 0; polygons[i].polygonVertexes != NULL; i++) {
glBegin(GL_POLYGON);
for (int j= 0; polygons[i].polygonVertexes[j].x != NULL; j++) {
struct point pointToDraw = {polygons[i].polygonVertexes[j].x, polygons[i].polygonVertexes[j].y};
glVertex2i(pointToDraw.x, pointToDraw.y);
}
glEnd();
}
}
when i run this i get the following error
Segmentation fault; core dumped; real time

You cannot use strcpy here; that is for null-terminated strings. A struct is not a null-terminated string :) To copy objects around, use memcpy.
To pass arrays around in C, a second parameter stating the number of objects in the array is usually passed as well. Alternatively, the array and length are put into a struct, and that struct is passed around.
EDIT: An example of how to do this:
void setPolygonQuardinates(struct point* polygonVertexes, size_t polygonVertexesSize) {
memcpy(polygons[polygonCounter].polygonVertexes, polygonVertexes, sizeof(point) * polygonVertexesSize);
}
int main(){
struct point polygonPoints[100] = {points[point1], points[point2], points[point3], points[point4]};
/* ^---------v make sure they match */
setPolygonQuardinates(polygonPoints, 100);
drawpolygon();
}
If you need this explained, please ask. I think it is idiomatic C code.

Related

C. double free or corruption (!prev) Aborted (core dumped)

I'm trying to use a "fixed memory scheme" and pre-allocate memory & reuse it via alloc, init, free fashion as many times as possible.
free() will called at shutdown only, but I want to test many iterations.
Although I call my alloc function bn_tree_alloc_node_space_heap() & init function bn_tree_init_node_heap(), I can only call free function bn_tree_free_node_space once.
Below is a complete reproducible snippet of my memory management, maint_test.c:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <assert.h>
#include <float.h>
#define BN_TREE_HEAP_SIZE 100
/*variables internal*/
typedef struct bntree_internals;
/*bn_tree_node is single bntree_t leaf*/
typedef struct bn_tree_node {
struct bn_tree_node* left;
struct bn_tree_node* right;
float* dataset;
float distance_to_neighbor;
int visited;
int heap_index;
} bn_tree_node;
/*tree*/
typedef struct {
/*in order to keep track of the bn-tree root*/
bn_tree_node* _root;
/*pointer to internal variables struct*/
struct bntree_internals* _internals;
} bntree_t;
/*bn tree leaf nodes heap*/
bn_tree_node* node_processing_space = NULL;
/*leaf nodes*/
void bn_tree_alloc_node_space_heap(int max_dimensions);
bn_tree_node*
get_pre_allocated_bn_tree_node_heap();
void bn_tree_init_node_heap(bn_tree_node* nodes, int max_dimensions);
void bn_tree_free_node_space(bn_tree_node* nodes);
int main(int argc, char** argv) {
/*PROBLEM:called the alloc,init,free cycle several times, problem,
getting seg fault on 2nd call of free()*/
bn_tree_alloc_node_space_heap(3);
assert(get_pre_allocated_bn_tree_node_heap());
printf("alloc\n");
bn_tree_init_node_heap(node_processing_space, 3);
printf("init\n");
bn_tree_free_node_space(node_processing_space);
printf("free\n");
bn_tree_alloc_node_space_heap(3);
assert(get_pre_allocated_bn_tree_node_heap());
printf("alloc\n");
bn_tree_init_node_heap(node_processing_space, 3);
printf("init\n");
bn_tree_free_node_space(node_processing_space);
printf("free\n");
bn_tree_alloc_node_space_heap(3);
assert(get_pre_allocated_bn_tree_node_heap());
printf("alloc\n");
bn_tree_init_node_heap(node_processing_space, 3);
printf("init\n");
bn_tree_free_node_space(node_processing_space);
printf("free\n");
bn_tree_alloc_node_space_heap(3);
assert(get_pre_allocated_bn_tree_node_heap());
printf("alloc\n");
bn_tree_init_node_heap(node_processing_space, 3);
printf("init\n");
bn_tree_free_node_space(node_processing_space);
printf("free\n");
return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
}
void bn_tree_alloc_node_space_heap(int max_dimensions) {
if (NULL == node_processing_space) {
node_processing_space = (bn_tree_node*) calloc(BN_TREE_HEAP_SIZE, sizeof (bn_tree_node));
//TODO: bn_tree_set_k_dimensions (max_dimensions);
int i = 0;
for (; i < BN_TREE_HEAP_SIZE; i++) {
node_processing_space[i].dataset = (float*) calloc(max_dimensions, sizeof (float));
}
//bn_heap_tail_index = bn_heap_head_index = 0;
}
}
bn_tree_node* get_pre_allocated_bn_tree_node_heap() {
return node_processing_space;
}
void bn_tree_init_node_heap(bn_tree_node* nodes, int max_dimensions) {
int i = 0;
int c = 0;
for (; i < BN_TREE_HEAP_SIZE; i++) {
/*reset values */
if (NULL != nodes[i].dataset) {
c = 0;
for (; c < max_dimensions; c++) {
nodes[i].dataset[c] = FLT_MIN;
}
}
nodes[i].visited = 0;
nodes[i].distance_to_neighbor = FLT_MAX;
nodes[i].left = NULL;
nodes[i].right = NULL;
nodes[i].heap_index = -1;
}
}
/*PROBLEM is subsequent call to free(), but if I alloc again why cant I free again?*/
void bn_tree_free_node_space(bn_tree_node* nodes) {
int i = 0;
for (; i < BN_TREE_HEAP_SIZE; i++) {
if (nodes[i].dataset) {
free(nodes[i].dataset);
}
}
free(nodes);
nodes = NULL;
}
Here is the output that I expect/want:
alloc
init
free
alloc
init
free
alloc
init
free
alloc
init
free
But Im getting this output/error:
alloc
init
free
alloc
init
double free or corruption (!prev)
Aborted (core dumped)
How can fix this?
Can't I do alloc,init,free as many times as I want (as long as I called alloc before free) OR I can do only alloc() once, then many init(), free() once?
Thanks a million & please be kind enough to provide concise answers with minimal changes.
The problem is that your bn_tree_free_node_space function takes, as its argument, a copy of the pointer variable - that is, you are passing the pointer by value - thus, the line nodes = NULL; at the end of that function only sets the local variable to NULL and does not change the value of the node_processing_space variable.
To fix this (with minimal changes to your code logic1), you need to pass that function a pointer to the pointer, and dereference that in the function. So, your function should look like this:
void bn_tree_free_node_space(bn_tree_node** nodes) // Argument is pointer-to-pointer
{
int i = 0;
for (; i < BN_TREE_HEAP_SIZE; i++) {
if ((*nodes)[i].dataset) { // Now we need to use (*nodes) to get the underlying pointer
free((*nodes)[i].dataset); // ... same here
}
}
free(*nodes); /// ... and here
*nodes = NULL;
}
You will, of course, also need to change the function prototype (just before your main) to match the new definition:
void bn_tree_free_node_space(bn_tree_node** nodes); // Must match definition!
Fruther, you will (clearly) need to change the calls to that function to pass the address of the node_processing_space pointer:
bn_tree_free_node_space(&node_processing_space); // Likewise for the other 3 calls!
Feel free to ask for further clarification and/or explanation.
1 EDIT: There are other ways (some may argue better ways) to implement your system, and also other 'minor' issues in your code. However, you did explicitly ask for "concise answers with minimal changes," so I have endeavoured to comply with that request!

Accessing an Array in a Function C

I have an array of typedef structure.
It is declared as such:
vertex vertexArray[numberVertices];
I then have this in my main code:
for(i=0;i<numberVertices;i++)
{
if(vertexArray[i].source == 5)
{
source = vertexArray[i].number;
walk(vertexArray, vertexArray[i], source, headMaxPairList );
}
}
To hopefully perform the walk:
void walk(vertex *vertexArray, vertex v, int source, maxPairing *head)
{
int i;
adjEdge *traverse;
int moveVertex;
int sink;
moveVertex = vertexArray[v.number-1].number;
if(vertexArray[moveVertex-1].color != 5 && vertexArray[moveVertex-1].sink == 5)
{
sink = vertexArray[moveVertex-1].number;
vertexArray[moveVertex-1].color = 5;
addMaxPair(head, source, sink);
}
else
{
walk(vertexArray, vertexArray[moveVertex-1], source, head);
}
}
However, I am getting a seg-fault on the function:
in walk (vertexArray=Cannot access memory at address 0x7fffff3fefe8
I believe this has to do with the way I'm passing vertexArray.
It is my understanding that arrays are actually pointers, hence the vertex *vertexArray and then an individual member is just a vertex, not a pointer hence vertex v.
If anyone could help me with getting this passed correctly I'd be appreciative.
Side note, if anyone can tell if my walk looks like it'll work correctly that's a plus!
Arrays are not same as pointers.
Read the following Links for clarification:
Q: So what is meant by the ``equivalence of pointers and arrays'' in C?
http://c-faq.com/aryptr/aryptrequiv.html
Q: But I heard that char a[] was identical to char *a.
http://c-faq.com/aryptr/aryptr2.html
To avoid Seg-Fault, add the following checks to walk() function:
void walk(vertex *vertexArray, vertex v, int source, maxPairing *head)
{
int i;
adjEdge *traverse;
int moveVertex;
int sink;
/* Add this Check to Avoid Seg Fault, you need to make the value of
'numberVertices'available to this function as this is your array size */
if ((((v.number-1)<0)||((v.number-1)>numberVertices))
{
return;
}
/* Check Ends */
moveVertex = vertexArray[v.number-1].number;
/* Another Check */
if((moveVertex-1<0)||(moveVertex-1>numberVertices))
{
return;
}
/* Check Ends */
if(vertexArray[moveVertex-1].color != 5 && vertexArray[moveVertex-1].sink == 5)
{
sink = vertexArray[moveVertex-1].number;
vertexArray[moveVertex-1].color = 5;
addMaxPair(head, source, sink);
}
else
{
walk(vertexArray, vertexArray[moveVertex-1], source, head);
}

Circular shift a dynamic c array by n elements

I have a queue of set length implemented as a dynamic c array implemented like this:
typedef struct {
float* queue;
int size;
int pointer;
} QueueStruct;
void createQueue(QueueStruct* queueInstance, int size){
queueInstance->queue = malloc(sizeof(float)*size);
queueInstance->size = size;
queueInstance->pointer = 0;
}
void addElementToQueue(QueueStruct* queueInstance,float element){
queueInstance->queue[pointer] = element;
if (queueInstance->pointer == queueInstance.size - 1){
queueInstance->pointer = 0;
} else {
++queueInstance->pointer;
}
}
void freeQueue(QueueStruct* queueInstance){
free(queueInstance->queue);
}
And I want to implement this function:
float* returnQueue(QueueStruct queueInstance){
//I want this function to malloc a new float* and then put the queue in it in the
// correct order, from start to finish, as pointed too by the pointer.
//Im not sure how to do this.
}
Any help would be appreciated.
Edit: Corrected a silly programming mistake - this is a simplified version of what is actually in my program.
Let's see if I got that right.
float* returnQueue(QueueStruct *queueInstance){
int j = 0;
float *ret = malloc(sizeof(float)*queueInstance->size); //Allocates the memory you want.
//Copies the elements from pointer to End into the new buffer (assumes, that the array has been filled at least once, add a marker to make sure)
if(queueInstance->FilledOnce) { //Marker variable, explanation as above.
for(int i = queueInstance->pointer; i < queueInstance->size; ++i, ++j)
ret[j] = queueInstance->queue[i];
}
//Copies the newest elements (from beginning to pointer) into the buffer.
for(int i = 0; i < queueInstance->pointer; ++i, ++j)
ret[j] = queueInstance->queue[i];
return ret; //Returns the code in question.
}
To make this code work, you'd have to add 'FilledOnce' to your struct, and amend your 'Add' Code as follows:
void addElementToQueue(QueueStruct* queueInstance, float element){
queueInstance->queue[queueInstance->pointer] = element;
if (queueInstance->pointer == queueInstance.size - 1){
queueInstance->pointer = 0;
queueInstance->FilledOnce = 1;
} else {
++queueInstance->pointer;
}
}
I also advise you, to reset your variables, once you're done with it.
void freeQueue(QueueStruct* queueInstance){
free(queueInstance->queue); //Frees the queue
queueInstance->queue = NULL; //Nulls the reference
queueInstance->FilledOnce = 0;
queueInstance->pointer = 0;
queueInstance->size = 0;
}
This way, if you reuse the struct, you won't run into the problem of trying to access non-allocated memory. Just be sure to check for those variables.
I hope this helps.
I think you should allocate memory for your struct also.
You have made pointer of struct but forgot to allocate memory for that struct
use QueueStruct queuestruct= malloc(sizeof(Queuestruct))
then when you pass this to any of the function above then you can easily allocate
memory for queue poiter in which you can store element for your queue array
This implementation is insufficient. A pointer variable give us location of a tail of queue, but what points to it's head?

Struct member corrupted after passed but not after passed again

I'm having some very strange bug in my ANSI C program.
I'm using debugger and I've observed that 'size' variable is corrupted in function 'doSthing.' Outside of 'doSthing' 'size' got a proper value, but inside 'doSthing' I've got a value nothing similar to what it should be, possibly some random data. This would be not be such a mystery but...
In 'doAnotherThing' which is called from 'doSthing' I get the proper value again. I suppose if it passes the correct value, it is not corrupted anyway, am I wrong? But then why does it have a different value?
The pointer in struct does not change inside the functions.
Memory is allocated for both oTV and oTV->oT.
I really don't see what's happening here...
typedef struct{
ownType *oT[] /* array of pointers */
int size;
} ownTypeVector;
void doSthing(ownTypeVector* oTV);
void doAnotherThing(ownTypeVector* oTV);
void doSthing(ownTypeVector* oTV)
{
...
doAnotherThing(oTV);
...
}
Thanks for your comments, I collected all the code that contains control logic and data structures so that it compiles. It runs on in an embedded systems, that can receive characters from multiple sources, builds strings from it by given rules and after the strings are ready, calls a function that needs that string. This can also be a list of functions. This is why I have function pointers - I can use the same logic for a bunch of things simply by choosing functions outside the 'activityFromCharacters' function.
Here I build a data structre with them by adding A-s, B-s and C-s to the AVector.
Of course every one of these separate sources has their own static strings so that they do not bother each other.
The problem again in the more detailed version of the code:
'aV->size' has got a proper value everywhere, except 'handleCaGivenWay.' Before it gets calles, 'aV->size' is ok, in 'addA' 'aV->size' is ok, too. After leaving 'handleCaGivenWay' it is ok again.
#define NUMBER_OF_AS 1
#define NUMBER_OF_BS 5
#define NUMBER_OF_CS 10
typedef struct{
char name[81];
} C;
typedef struct{
C *c[NUMBER_OF_CS]; /* array of pointers */
int size;
int index;
} B;
typedef struct{
B *b[NUMBER_OF_BS]; /* array of pointers */
char name[81];
int size;
} A;
typedef struct{
A *a[NUMBER_OF_AS]; /* array of pointers */
int size;
} AVector;
typedef struct {
char *string1;
char *string2;
} stringBundle;
typedef struct{
void (*getCharacter)(char *buffer);
void (*doSthingwithC)(stringBundle* strings,AVector* aV);
AVector* aV;
} functionBundle;
void getCharFromaGivenPort(char *buffer)
{
//...
}
void addA(AVector * aV, stringBundle* strings)
{
aV->a[aV->size]->size = 0;
++aV->size;
int i = 0;
if(strlen(strings->string2) < 81)
{
for(i;i<81;++i)
{
aV->a[aV->size-1]->name[i] = strings->string2[i];
}
}
else {report("Too long name for A:");
report(strings->string2);}
}
void handleCaGivenWay(stringBundle* strings,AVector* aV)
{
A* a;
a = NULL;
if(aV->size) { a = aV->a[aV->size-1]; }
switch(1)
{
case 1: addA(aV,strings); break;
case 2: //addB()...
default: if (a && aV->size)
{ //addC(a->thr[a->size-1],c);
}
else report("A or B or C invalid");
break;
}
//handleCaGivenWay
}
void activityFromCharacters(stringBundle* strings,functionBundle* funcbundle)
{
/* some logic making strings from characters by */
/* looking at certain tokens */
(* funcbundle->doSthingwithC)(strings,funcbundle->aV);
}
//activityFromCharacters
AVector* initializeAVector(void)
{
AVector* aV;
if (NULL == (aV = calloc(1,sizeof(AVector))))
{ report("Cannot allocate memory for aVector."); }
int i = 0;
int j = 0;
int k = 0;
for(i; i < NUMBER_OF_AS; ++i)
{
if (NULL == (aV->a[i] = calloc(1,sizeof(A))))
{ report("Cannot allocate memory for As."); }
aV->a[i]->size = 0;
aV->a[i]->name[0] = 0;
for(j; j < NUMBER_OF_BS; ++j)
{
if (NULL == (aV->a[i]->b[j] = calloc(1,sizeof(B))))
{ report("Cannot allocate memory for Bs."); }
aV->a[i]->b[j]->size = 0;
for(k; k < NUMBER_OF_CS; ++k)
{
if (NULL == (aV->a[i]->b[j]->c[k] = calloc(1,sizeof(C))))
{ report("Cannot allocate memory for Cs."); }
}
}
}
aV->size = 0;
return aV;
//initializeProgramVector
}
int main (void)
{
AVector* aV;
aV = initializeAVector();
while(1)
{
static stringBundle string;
static char str1[81];
static char str2[81];
string.string1 = str1;
string.string2 = str2;
functionBundle funcbundle;
funcbundle.getCharacter = &getCharFromaGivenPort;
funcbundle.doSthingwithC = &handleCaGivenWay;
funcbundle.aV = aV;
activityFromCharacters(&string,&funcbundle);
}
//main
}
your code shows that it hasn't any error...
But i think you are doing mistake in getting the value of size in doSthing function.
you are printing there its address. so concentrate on some pointer stuff..
Try printing the oTV->size just before the call and as the first statement in doSthing function. If you get the correct value in both print, then the problem is with the function doSthing. Problem could be better understood if you've shown the code that calls doSthing.
Searched a long time to find this. I found 2 problems, but dont know what exactly you are trying to accomplish so i cannot tell for certain that the fix'es i propose are what you intend.
typedef struct{
A *a[NUMBER_OF_AS]; /* array of pointers */
int size;
} AVector;
// and in addA():
aV->a[aV->size]->size = 0;
First: You are inlining the array of pointers in the struct. What i think what you want and need is a pointer to a pointer array so that it can grow which is what you want in addA() i think. The line from addA() aV->a[aV->size]->size = 0; does not communicate your intention very well but it looks like you are trying to change the value beyond the last entry in the array and since it is inlined in the struct it would result to the separate field size by pure coincidence on some alignments; this is a very fragile way of programming. So what i propose is this. Change the struct to contain A** a; // pointer to pointer-array, malloc it initially and re-malloc (and copy) it whenever you need it to grow (in addA()).

C - Passing a Pointer to a Function and then Passing that Same Pointer Inside the Function to Another Function

Whew! Long title...here's some pseudo-code to explain that verbiage:
int main(){
int* ptr = function1(); //the data that ptr points to is correct here
function2(ptr);
}
int function2(int* ptr){
//the data that ptr points to is still correct
int i;
for(i=0;i<length;printf("%d\n", (*ptr)[i]), i++); //since ptr points to a contiguous block of memory
function3(ptr);
}
int function3(int* ptr){
//the data that ptr points to is INCORRECT!!!
}
Why would the data in function3 be incorrect?
Note: function1 performs a malloc() and returns the pointer to that memory.
ACTUAL CODE
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
//Structures
struct hash_table_data_
{
int key, data;
struct hash_table_data_ *next, *prev;
};
struct hash_table_
{
int num_entries;
struct hash_table_data_ **entries;
};
typedef struct hash_table_data_ hash_table_data;
typedef struct hash_table_ hash_table;
//Prototypes
hash_table *new_hash_table(int num_entries);
int hash_table_add(hash_table *ht, int key, int data);
int hash_table_loader(hash_table* ht);
//Main
int main()
{
int num_entries = 8;//THIS MUST BE AUTOMATED
hash_table* ht = new_hash_table(num_entries);
hash_table_loader(ht);
return 0;
}
//Function Definitions
hash_table *new_hash_table(int num_entries)
{
hash_table* ht = (hash_table*) malloc(sizeof(hash_table));
hash_table_data* array = malloc(num_entries * sizeof(hash_table_data));
int i;
for (i=0;i<num_entries;i++)
{
array[i].key = -1;
array[i].data = -1;
array[i].next = NULL;
array[i].prev = NULL;
}
ht->entries = &array;
ht->num_entries = num_entries;
return ht;
}
int hash_table_add(hash_table *ht, int key, int data)
{
//VERIFY THAT THE VALUE ISN'T ALREADY IN THE TABLE!!!!!!!!!!!
int num_entries = ht->num_entries;
hash_table_data* array = *(ht->entries); //array elements are the LL base
int hash_val = key%num_entries;
printf("adding an element now...\n");
printf("current key: %d\n", array[hash_val].key);
int i;
for(i=0;i<num_entries;printf("%d\n", (*(ht->entries))[i].key),i++);//DATA IS INCORRECT!!!!
if (array[hash_val].key == -1)//is this the base link?
{
printf("added a new base link!\n");
array[hash_val].key = key;
array[hash_val].data = data;
array[hash_val].next = NULL;
array[hash_val].prev = &(array[hash_val]);
}
else//since it's not the base link...do stuff
{
hash_table_data* new_link = malloc(sizeof(hash_table_data));
new_link->key = key;//set the key value
new_link->data = data;//set the data value
if (array[hash_val].next == NULL)//we must have the second link
{
printf("added a new second link!\n");
new_link->prev = &(array[hash_val]); //set the new link's previous to be the base link
array[hash_val].next = new_link; //set the first link's next
}
else//we have the 3rd or greater link
{
printf("added a new 3rd or greater link!\n");
hash_table_data next_link_val = *(array[hash_val].next);
while (next_link_val.next != NULL)//follow the links until we reach the last link
{
next_link_val = *(next_link_val.next);//follow the current link to the next
}
//now that we've reached the last link, link it to the new_link
next_link_val.next = new_link; //link the last link to the new link
new_link->prev = &(next_link_val); //link the new link to the last link
}
}
return 0;
}
int hash_table_loader(hash_table* ht)
{
int i;
for(i=0;i<(ht->num_entries);printf("%d\n", (*(ht->entries))[i].key),i++); //DATA IS STILL CORRECT HERE
FILE *infile;
infile = fopen("input.txt", "r");
while(!feof(infile))
{
int key,data;
fscanf(infile, "%d %d", &key, &data);
hash_table_add(ht, key, data);
}
fclose(infile);
}
Note: Issue occurring the first time hash_table_add() is called.
Your first problem is here:
ht->entries = &array;
You cause the structure to hold a hash_table_data** which points to the variable hash_table_data* array which is local to the function; then you exit the function and return a pointer to the structure. The structure still exists (it was allocated via malloc(), and the stuff that array points to still exists, but array itself does not. Accordingly, this pointer within the structure is now invalid.
As far as I can tell, there is no reason for you to be holding a pointer-to-pointer here. Just use hash_table_data* as the entries type, and copy array into that struct member. Pointers are values too.
I guess you iterate incorrectly
for(i=0;i<length;printf("%d\n", (*ptr)[i]), i++);
this is nonsense.
You should rewrite it as this:
for(i=0;i<length;i++)
printf("%d\n", ptr[i]);
(*ptr)[i] is just wrong, it doesn't make sense if you think about it.
*ptr is the first element of the pointed-to array of ints.
ptr[i] is thi ith one, this is what you need.
Please, read Section 6 carefully.
A couple of advises based on this question:
Don't write overcomplicated code like this for statement with comma operator used, it just rarely needed and leads not only to confusion, but to mistakes (although no mistakes with it in this particular example)
Look carefully for mistakes, don't blame everything on functions. If your code doesn't work, try finding the exact place which is wrong and prove it. In this example people who tested your code were right: functions are definitely not the cause of the error.
hash_table *new_hash_table(int num_entries)
{
hash_table* ht = (hash_table*) malloc(sizeof(hash_table));
hash_table_data* array = malloc(num_entries * sizeof(hash_table_data));
// ....
ht->entries = &array; // Problem
// ...
return ht;
} // Life time of array ends at this point.
You are taking the reference of the local variable array and assigning it to ht->entries which is no more valid once the function returns.

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