is there a straightforward way to create an array of strings (which will all be the same length) i tried a few methods i saw searching on the net, but VC complains alot. the end result i want to achieve is an array of strings which specify file names (to be used in a loop to blit a background surface from tile map arrays) i guess the array ojects have to be cast as LPCSTR since i eventually want them to be processed by the ddutils.cpp function DDLoadBitmap() i''ts because strings are arrays of chars that i cannot simply declare: char bmps[8][8]; ??

Which language are you using: C or C++?

--

The placement of a donkey's eyes in its head enables it to see all four feet at all times.

Edited by - SabreMan on February 22, 2002 5:37:49 PM

c++

Then an "array" of strings should look like this:

  std::vector<std::string> v_s;  

You add entries to it like this:

  v_s.push_back( "stuff" );v_s.push_back( "other stuff" );  

And access the entries like this:

  cout << v_s[0] << "\n";cout << v_s[1] << "\n";  

You will need the headers &ltvector> and &ltstring> for vector and string. In other words, if you''re going to use C++, then write C++, not C.

--

The placement of a donkey''s eyes in its head enables it to see all four feet at all times.

this is sounding good, but i have no vector.h on my machine;
searching on google i found a couple, and including them in the project gave me the impression that they weren''t the vector.h you had in mind, what with the errors that came about when i compiled...

where would i find vector.h that will make the code work?

and why can''t an array of string literals be declared as char blah [n][n]? you used inverted commas around "array" as if it perhaps what i am trying to describe isn''t really an array, am i missing some fundamental point?

thanks for trying to help, mr S

you can use a 2D char array... you must remember to both leave space for a NULL at the end of each, and also put that NULL in there:

#include < iostream.h>int main(int argc, char* argv[])  {  char str[8][8];  char da[15] = "abcdefghijklmn";  for (int x = 0; x < 7; ++x)    for (int y = 0; y < 7; ++y)      str[x][y] = da[x + y];  for (int t = 0; t < 7; ++t)    {    str[t][7] = ''\0'';    cout << t << "  " << str[t] << "\n";    };  return 1;  }; 

LPSTR just means char* more or less...

--- krez (krezisback@aol.com)

- If you have a C++ compiler, you ought to have the vector header file. Note that it is in vector and not in vector.h

- If a function requires a const C string (const char*, or a litteral "string"), pass use string::c_str(). If the C function needs to modify the string (i.e. expects a char[] buffer), use std::vector buf(size) and pass the address of the first element &buf[0] for the char*

- Similarly, do not use iostream.h, it is the ''old'' iostream library, available for compatibility only. Use iostream instead.

quote: Original post by Fruny
- If a function requires a const C string (const char*, or a litteral "string"), pass use string::c_str(). If the C function needs to modify the string (i.e. expects a char[] buffer), use std::vector buf(size) and pass the address of the first element &buf[0] for the char*

or just use a char array...

quote: - Similarly, do not use iostream.h, it is the ''old'' iostream library, available for compatibility only. Use iostream instead.

out of curiosity, what is the difference (besides that namespace crap)? i hear this all the time but nobody ever says why (except for "it''s newer", which is hardly a valid reason).

you can use dynamic allocation too

    char **szStrings;szStrings = new char*[Number_Of_Strings]; //alocate pointers to the stringsfor(int i = 0;i<Number_Of_Strings;++i){szStrings[i] = new char[Max_String_Length];// alocate each string}// when you are done, delete:for(int i = 0;i<Number_Of_Strings;++i){delete [] szStrings[i];// delete each string first}delete [] szStrings; //Finally delete array of pointers.    

Edited by - kwizatz on February 22, 2002 9:10:07 PM

quote: Original post by krez
out of curiosity, what is the difference (besides that namespace crap)? i hear this all the time but nobody ever says why (except for "it''s newer", which is hardly a valid reason).

Well, how can I explain... it is not the same library...
The iostream.h heads dates from the time when C++ was "C with classes" (i.e. pre-standardisation). Their implemetation is not the same... and may break your code if you rely on the documentation for the new library.

Here''s a link.