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carraysmemcpy

memcpy() from smaller array to larger one

I couldn't find any reference to this question. I have an array of structs which I need to resize into a larger array. both structs are completely initialized (each cell has a value other than NULL)

say

typedef struct Square {
...
...
}Square;

Square s1[1024];
Square s2[2048];

If I copy using memcpy() s1 into s2, how would s2 would look? I know it copies byte data. will the first 1024 cells would be the same as s1 and the remaining 1024 would be as they initialized? or does it affect them too?

Thanks

P.S The arrays here are statically allocated, but I wrote that just for convinience here. I have them allocated using malloc()

Solution

  • If you did:

    memcpy(s2, s1, sizeof(s1));

    The first 1024 Squares in s2 would be copied from s1, and the rest would be untouched (so if they were uninitialized, they'll still be uninitialized).

    Remember that if they're heap allocated as you say, you can't use sizeof. You might find realloc useful if all you're trying to do is grow the array.