What is the difference between execl and execv?

Question

I use execv instead of execl. To use execv, I create an array and put arguments that I use with execl in there. Then I put this array into execv

I know I have to use an array of arguments for execv but why? What is the difference between execl and execv?

Solution

There is no difference other than the format of the arguments. They will both end up calling the same underlying system call execve().

Comments

[jww]

Possible duplicate of What are the different versions of exec used for in C and C++?

[Ahmet Tanakol]

Why do we need the change the format of the arguments? I mean if they are doing same thing

[mark4o]

The execve() system call (and execv()) take the arguments in an array. execl() is just provided as a convenience, in case you have a fixed number of arguments, to allow you to avoid the trouble of setting up an array. execl() will store the function arguments in a temporary array itself and then make the system call. If you set up the argument array yourself then you have no need for execl().

[mig001]

Here is an example: stackoverflow.com/a/32142863