how to store strings inside an array in c - c

Question

How can I store a list of strings in an array in c. cause usually the a string e.g:'string' is stored as s|t|r|i|g in array(?). now if i have an array that has 10 index and want to store string in each one of those indexes, how do i do it? if not doable, what other data structure can i use for it.
e.g: array = 'string1'|'string2'|..
i have done something, but its not working:
// Array for name of alphabets, and name of states
35 char *nameOfStates[numStates];
36 char buffer[3];
37
38 // Read the nameOfStates
39 int i;
40 for(i=0;i<numStates;i++){
41 printf("Name of STATES:");
42
43 int z=0;
44 char *buffer2;
45 while(z<2 && fgets(buffer,2,stdin) != NULL){
46
47 buffer2 = strndup(buffer,2);
48 z++;
49 }// End while-loop
50 nameOfStates[i] = buffer2;
51
52 }// End of for-loop to read nameOfStates
EDIT: I realized that array[size] doesn't actually work! I did it cause of my java backgroun d and i thought it might work. so i changed the program but it still is throwing segmentation fault. I post the full(edited) program below:
#include<stdio.h>
#include<string.h>
#include<stdlib.h>
// Function declaration
void analyze(char *string);
void clearNewLines(void);
int main(int argc, char *argv[]){
// Number of states and number of alphabets of DFA
int numStates;
int numAlphabets;
// Read numStates
printf("Enter the number of STATES:");
scanf("%d",&numStates);
// Flush STDIN
clearNewLines();
// Array for name of alphabets, and name of states
char **nameOfStates = malloc(numStates*sizeof(char*));
char *buffer = NULL;
// Read the nameOfStates
int i;
for(i=0;i<numStates;i++){
printf("Name of STATES:");
fgets(nameOfStates[i],2*sizeof(char),stdin);
}// End of for-loop to read nameOfStates
clearNewLines();
// Read numAlphabets
printf("Enter the number of ALPHABETS: ");
scanf("%d", &numAlphabets);
// Flush STDIN
clearNewLines();
// Array for name of alphabets, and name of states
char nameOfAlphabets[numAlphabets];
// Saving transition table
char *transitionTable[numStates][numAlphabets];
// Read name of alphabets
int j;
for(j=0;j<numAlphabets;j++){
printf("Name of ALPHABETS:");
nameOfAlphabets[j] = getchar();
// Flush STDIN
clearNewLines();
}// End for-loop to read alphabets
// Get the transitionTable[states][alphabets]
int row;
for(row=0;row<numStates;row++){
int col;
for(col=0;col<numAlphabets;col++){
printf("Enter Transition From %s to %c: ",nameOfStates[row],nameOfAlphabets[col]);
printf("\n");
}
}
return 0;
}// End of main function
/*
*
* clearNewLines - clear any newline character present at the STDIN
*/
void clearNewLines(void)
{
int c;
do
{
c = getchar();
} while (c != '\n' && c != EOF);
}

Answer 1

First: you cannot define an array size with a variable. I mean: char buf[variable]; doesn't work.
You have to do like this:
char **buf;
buf = malloc(sizeof(char) * number_of_strings);
if (buf == NULL)
return (MALLOC_ERROR);
Or with a macro like this:
// in your header file
#define BUF_SIZE 12
// in your .c file
char *buf[BUF_SIZE];
Then you also have to malloc the 2nd dimension of your array.
For example :
int i;
i = 0
while (buf[i])
{
buf[i] = malloc(sizeof(char) * string_length);
if (buf[i] == NULL)
return (MALLOC_ERROR);
i++;
}
And don't forget to free all dimensions of your array.

Answer 2

An array of arrays is the way to go.
// Array of size 5 (Don't forget to free!)
char **arrayOfStrings = malloc(5*sizeof(char*));
char *aString = "Hi";
arrayOfStrings[0] = aString;
//Literals work too
arrayOfStrings[1] = "Hallo";
aString = "Ahoy";
arrayOfStrings[2] = aString;
ArrayOfStrings values at end: Hi | Hallo | Ahoy | | |