built in command to change prompt in custom linux/unix shell - c

Question

I have looked all over google and I find how to change in the bash config files, but my project requires a built in command to change the prompt.
I declared char pointer outside any function, my command modifies it, but when the function returns (int to continue a do while loop) and the prompt is displayed again, it is blank.
I have tried using a structure, union, and even a second char pointer and got the same issue.
I thought using a global char pointer that could be accessed and modified in any function would be the solution to this part of my project.
I would appreciate and will try any response.
Edit:
posted on my phone, tried to ask w/o code, but here it is
Code:
char *prmpt;
...
int main(int argc, char **argv)
prmpt="$$ ";
do
{
printf("%s ", prmpt);
}while(1)
int cmd_prompt(char **args)
{
prmpt = (char*)args[1];
return 1;
}

Answer 1

Essentially one needs to use fgets or getline or better yet they might use readline or editline. Here is an example using getline:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>
int main()
{
char *prompt;
size_t len = 256;
size_t i = 0;
if (!(prompt = malloc(256 * sizeof(char))))
return 1;
strcpy(prompt, "$");
while ( 1 )
{
printf("[[%s]] ", prompt);
i = getline(&prompt, &len, stdin);
prompt[i-1] = '\0';
}
}
Or if you might try implementing getline on your own using getchar ( perhaps if getline is not available on your system, or you just want to know how it works). And eventually move on to writing your own editline library if you continue to be interested in writing shells.