C Arrays Of String

What Is Array Of Strings

Array of strings is a array which holds strings instead of characters. Arrays of strings are possible by using two-dimensional array or by using pointers. One cannot have array of strings in one dimensional array.

Syntax - Arrays Of String

data_type arrayName [size1][size2] = {string1, string2, ..., stringN};

Program - Arrays Of String

#include <stdio.h>
#include .<string.h>
int main()
{
char arr[3][10] = {"INDIA", "AMERICA", "JAPAN"};
printf("%s \n %s \n %s ", arr[0], arr[1], arr[2]);
return 0;
}

Program - Arrays Of String

Lets code a c program to have a strings in array format by using pointer concept

#include <stdio.h>
#include .<string.h>
int main()
{
char *arr[3] ;
arr[0] = "INDIA";
arr[1] = "AMERICA";
arr[2] = "JAPAN";
printf("%s \n %s \n %s ", arr[0], arr[1], arr[2]);
return 0;
}

How it works

• Here sizeof( arr[0] ) = 4 bytes
• Here sizeof( arr[1] ) = 4 bytes
• Here sizeof( arr[2] ) = 4 bytes
• Lets look closely, is 4 bytes is enough to store a string "India". We know that a character "I" alone takes 1 byte, then "India" itself a 5 bytes,then how can it be, yes you are right, here the answer is impossible.

Then what happens

• lets imagine, the address of arr[0] is 2293428.
• arr[0] holds some address as its value, lets say 4214784
  
• This address (4214784) holds a value "I" and points to the next address i.e) 4214785
• Then, address (4214785) holds a value "N" and points to the next address ie) 4214786
• Then, address (4214786) holds a value "D" and points to the next address ie) 4214787
• Then, address (4214787) holds a value "I" and points to the next address ie) 4214788
• Then, address (4214788) holds a value "A" and "\0" Null value to terminate the pointer pointing to next address.

Same thing happens for the strings "AMERICA" and "JAPAN"

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Related to Array of Strings

• What is Array
• C One Dimensional Array
• C Two Dimensional Array

Take a test

• Array Questions - set 1
• Array Questions - set 2
• Array Questions - set 3

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