C Array of Strings

To store many names we need an array of strings. In C there are two common ways.

Way 1: 2D char array

Each row is one string. All rows have the same fixed size.

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    char names[3][10] = {"Robin", "Maria", "John"};

    for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
        printf("%s\n", names[i]);
    }
    return 0;
}

Output:

The size 10 means each name can have up to 9 characters, plus the null character. Short names waste some space.

Way 2: array of pointers

Each element points to a string. There is no waste of space, but the strings are read only.

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    const char *cities[] = {"Delhi", "Mumbai", "Pune", "Jaipur"};
    int n = sizeof(cities) / sizeof(cities[0]);

    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
        printf("%d. %s\n", i + 1, cities[i]);
    }
    return 0;
}

Output:

Find the longest name

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

int main(void) {
    char names[4][12] = {"Asha", "Vikram", "Neha", "Maria"};
    int longest = 0;

    for (int i = 1; i < 4; i++) {
        if (strlen(names[i]) > strlen(names[longest])) {
            longest = i;
        }
    }
    printf("Longest: %s\n", names[longest]);
    return 0;
}

Output:

Read names from the user

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    char names[2][20];

    for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
        scanf("%19s", names[i]);
    }
    printf("%s and %s\n", names[0], names[1]);
    return 0;
}

Output:

Next: C Pointers.

• Previous Page
• Next Page

---

Exercises & Assignments
No Content Found.

Interview Questions & Answers
No Content Found.