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cvoid-pointersfile-copying

What to use instead of sizeof(void)?

I'm trying to copy a file. I'm using a borrowed code snippet, and there's a line of it which errors which confuses me.

int fileread = open("original.txt", O_RDONLY);
void *buffer;
buffer = malloc(sizeof(void) * size);  /*This line gives "Incomplete type not allowed."*/

int nread = read(fileread,buffer,size);

int filewrite = open("original.txt.backup",O_CREAT | O_RDWR, 0644);

write(filewrite,buffer,size);

close(filewrite);
close(fileread);

What should I be using instead? I was thinking char*, but I want to make sure I'm understanding the process going on here.

Solution

  • sizeof() returns the size of your type. Honestly I think you should just change it to

    char *buffer;
buffer = malloc(sizeof(char) * size);

    Sizeof(void) makes zero sense