Define char array pointer with size

Question

I want a cross between the two declarations below:

char string[6];
char * string;

I need a pointer with a fixed size and I don't want to use malloc for something this simple.

All this char array needs to do is be assigned a value and have it retrieved by a function as seen below. (But in a loop hence the separate declaration) What is the best way to do this?

string = "words";
printf("%s",string);

Solution 1

Since you have now stated that you can't use @nightcracker's solution, I think you need to use strncpy() to assign to the string.

char string[6];
/* .... loop code */
strncpy(string, "words", 6);
printf("%s", string);

I guess that in a real program you wouldn't be using a string literal, hence the need for strncpy().

Solution 2

Define a constant array of which the size gets counted by the initializer:

const char string[] = "words";

---

If you just want a pointer to a fixed size amount of memory that is small, just use it like this:

const int STR_LEN = 10;
char str[STR_LEN];

... loop, etc

strncpy(string, "1234567890", STR_LEN);

... etc

Solution 3

Why not to use this:

const char * string;
...
string = "words";
printf("%s",string);

(or your question is not clear)

Comments

[J V]

I forgot to mention, the assigning and accessing has to be performed in a loop (Hence the prior declaration)

[J V]

That will do, I was hoping to avoid it but it seems grand.

[Oliver Charlesworth]

+1: Agreed. This answers the question as stated. If it's not appropriate, then the question needs to be clarified.