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Introduction

Arrays is a fundamental data structure that provides a way to store multiple instances of the same type of data allowing for access based around an index. One specialized array in C are C-strings. C-strings allow you to string together multiple characters to form text. However, they can be tricky to use and are flawed in their design. Working in the C language requires a strong understanding of how C-strings are implemented to avoid unexpected errors.

Learning Outcomes​

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

  1. Declare and initialize arrays using proper C syntax and understand the relationship between array capacity and the number of elements actually used
  2. Access array elements using index notation and explain why zero-based indexing enables dynamic access to array data
  3. Pass arrays to functions and predict how modifications to array parameters affect the original array in the calling code
  4. Implement common array algorithms including finding maximum/minimum values and performing linear searches
  5. Understand C-strings as null-terminated character arrays and explain the purpose and importance of the null terminator (\0)
  6. Declare and initialize C-strings with appropriate capacity to accommodate both content and the required null terminator
  7. Iterate through arrays and strings using appropriate loop patterns and termination conditions
  8. Apply the const keyword to array parameters to prevent unintended modifications and catch errors at compile time
  9. Avoid common array pitfalls including out-of-bounds access, buffer overflow, and improper string handling
  10. Write programs that process collections of data by combining arrays with functions to solve problems that would be impractical with individual variables