How to define a pointer to a 2-dimesional array of pointers.

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ImLazy
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How to define a pointer to a 2-dimesional array of pointers.

Post by ImLazy »

This code:

Code: Select all

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
    int a[2][3] = { {1, 2, 3}, {4, 5, 6} };
    int *(*b)[3];
    for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
        for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++)
            b[i][j] = &a[i][j];
    for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
        for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++)
            cout << *b[i][j] << " ";
    cout << endl;
    return 0;
};
I get this RUNTIME ERROR:

Code: Select all

Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
0x0040147c in main () at test-p.cpp:8
8                   b[i][j] = &a[i][j];
I want each element of b[][] is a pointer to an element of a[][].
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mf
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Location: Zürich, Switzerland
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Re: How to define a pointer to a 2-dimesional array of pointers.

Post by mf »

int *(*b)[3]; is a pointer to an array of 3 pointers to int.
int *(*b)[3][3]; is a pointer to a 3x3 array of pointers to int.

There's a handy utility cdecl which can do this kinds of conversions between C and plain english for you. And when in doubt you can always use typedef to simplify declarations.

As for SIGSEGV, you should've allocated memory for this 3x3 array before accessing it (or else it points to nothing), and access it like (*b)[j].
ImLazy
Experienced poster
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 4:31 pm
Location: Shanghai, China

Re: How to define a pointer to a 2-dimesional array of pointers.

Post by ImLazy »

:oops: , I forget to allocate memory for b.
I stay home. Don't call me out.
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