how to initialize the 2D pointer?

[windstorm]

for instance,I define a 2-D pointer:

char **input = NULL;

I want the "input" pointer to point to some string,and the number of
the string is dynamic.

when I got the first string,I was code like this:

*input = strtok( row,token );

because the function strtok return a string and the pointer "input" is
just point to this string,so I don't think it is need to be
initialized.There is no error when make but when I run the program
there is a error so-called "core dumped".

I think maybe it's because the pointer "input" wasn't initialized,so I
add something like this(although I don't think it is need):
*input = (char *)malloc( WORD_LENGTH * sizeof(char) );
*input = strtok( row,token );

But the error is still here,the same.

So,I wanna ask,how to initialize the 2D pointer?

I know that there is another way to use char*input[], but the number
the array can store is changeless.Even if I can use array to solve my
problem,but I will be disappointed if I cann't understand the question
I ask.

[Richard Heathfield]

windstorm said:

for instance,I define a 2-D pointer:

char **input = NULL;

That isn't a 2-D pointer. There is, in fact, no such thing as a 2-D pointer.
When you realise this, it will help you understand.

I want the "input" pointer to point to some string,and the number of
the string is dynamic.

when I got the first string,I was code like this:

*input = strtok( row,token );

Wait a minute. input points to NULL, so how can you assign to *input?

What you are missing is the first step, which is to get yourself space for a
bunch of pointers:

char **input = malloc(n * sizeof *input);
if(input != NULL)
{
/* you now have n pointers-to-char, input[0] through input[n - 1] */

for(i = 0; i < n; i++)
{
/* you can now point them somewhere - until you do, their values
are indeterminate.
*/
}

--
Richard Heathfield
"Usenet is a strange place" - dmr 29/7/1999
http://www.cpax.org.uk
email: rjh at the above domain, - www.

[windstorm]

On Feb 2, 5:51 pm, Richard Heathfield <[e-mail]:

windstorm said:

for instance,I define a 2-D pointer:

char **input = NULL;

That isn't a 2-D pointer. There is, in fact, no such thing as a 2-D pointer.
When you realise this, it will help you understand.

I want the "input" pointer to point to some string,and the number of
the string is dynamic.

when I got the first string,I was code like this:

*input = strtok( row,token );

Wait a minute. input points to NULL, so how can you assign to *input?

What you are missing is the first step, which is to get yourself space for a
bunch of pointers:

char **input = malloc(n * sizeof *input);
if(input != NULL)
{
/* you now have n pointers-to-char, input[0] through input[n - 1] */

for(i = 0; i < n; i++)
{
/* you can now point them somewhere - until you do, their values
are indeterminate.
*/
}

--
Richard Heathfield
"Usenet is a strange place" - dmr 29/7/1999http://www.cpax.org.uk
email: rjh at the above domain, - www.

thanks a lot!
I got it.

By the way ,I am not familiar to the group's operation and I wrote
something just now and click the button "Reply to author" by false. I
am so sorry to Richard Heathfield, you can answer it or not. If you
decide to answer it, please post it to here.

thanks again.

[Default User]

windstorm wrote:

for instance,I define a 2-D pointer:

char **input = NULL;

I want the "input" pointer to point to some string,and the number of
the string is dynamic.

when I got the first string,I was code like this:

*input = strtok( row,token );

because the function strtok return a string and the pointer "input" is
just point to this string,so I don't think it is need to be
initialized.There is no error when make but when I run the program
there is a error so-called "core dumped".

I think maybe it's because the pointer "input" wasn't initialized,so I
add something like this(although I don't think it is need):
*input = (char *)malloc( WORD_LENGTH * sizeof(char) );
*input = strtok( row,token );

But the error is still here,the same.

So,I wanna ask,how to initialize the 2D pointer?

Richard told you pretty much everything, but review the FAQ entry:

<http://c-faq.com/aryptr/dynmuldimary.html>
Get used to using the FAQ, it has a lot of good information for
beginners.


Brian