C typedef

typedef gives a new name (alias) to an existing data type. It does not create a new type. It only makes the code shorter and easier to read.

Simple typedef

#include <stdio.h>

typedef unsigned int uint;

int main(void) {
    uint count = 42;
    printf("%u\n", count);
    return 0;
}

Output:

typedef with struct

Without typedef we must write struct Student each time. With typedef we write only Student.

#include <stdio.h>

typedef struct {
    int roll;
    char name[20];
} Student;

int main(void) {
    Student s = {1, "Robin"};

    printf("%d %s\n", s.roll, s.name);
    return 0;
}

Output:

typedef for a function pointer

#include <stdio.h>

typedef int (*Operation)(int, int);

int add(int a, int b) { return a + b; }

int main(void) {
    Operation op = add;
    printf("%d\n", op(2, 3));
    return 0;
}

Output:

Benefits

• Shorter names for long types.
• The code is easier to change. If you change typedef int Score; to typedef float Score;, all variables of type Score change.
• Better names that explain the meaning of a variable.

Next: C enum.

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