How to resize an array c programming tutorial

resizing arrays in c: a comprehensive tutorial

resizing arrays dynamically is a fundamental technique in c programming, especially when you don't know the exact size of your data in advance. unlike static arrays declared with a fixed size at compile time, dynamic arrays can grow or shrink as needed during runtime. this tutorial will guide you through the process of resizing arrays using the `malloc`, `realloc`, and `free` functions from the `stdlib.h` library.

**why resize arrays?**

* **dynamic data handling:** when you need to store an unknown number of elements, static arrays become limiting. resizable arrays allow you to accommodate varying data volumes without predefining an arbitrary maximum size that might be wasteful or insufficient.
* **efficient memory usage:** dynamic allocation prevents wasting memory by allocating only what's currently needed. if your data shrinks, you can release unused memory, improving resource efficiency.
* **flexibility:** resizable arrays offer the flexibility to add or remove elements as your program evolves, adapting to changing data requirements.

**core concepts and functions**

1. **`malloc()` (memory allocation):**

* `malloc()` is a standard library function used to allocate a block of memory of a specified size (in bytes).
* **prototype:** `void* malloc(size_t size);`
* **returns:**
* a pointer to the beginning of the allocated memory block if successful.
* `null` if the allocation fails (e.g., insufficient memory).
* **important:** `malloc()` doesn't initialize the allocated memory. the contents will be garbage. it's your responsibility to initialize the memory if needed.
* **`size_t`:** a type typically defined as an unsigned integer type (e.g., `unsigned int` or `unsigned long`). it's used to represent sizes of memory blocks.

2. **`realloc()` (reallocation):**

* `realloc()` is used to resize a previously allocated memory block. it can either enlarg ...

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