Array subscript has type 'char' warning is showed without using arrays

Question

Hi I got this weird warning in this simple code that leaves me completely confused. I searched trough the page and I see that this is a warning to alert users to avoid using chars as index of matrix because they can be signned, but obviously this is not the case.

Here is the code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <ctype.h>

int main() {

    char c='t';
    if (isspace(c)==0)
        printf ("%c is not a space",c);

    return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
}

my question is what is the reason of the warning? is it related with the fact that isspace expects an int as argument?

need "#include <stdlib.h>

BLUEPIXY
– BLUEPIXY

2014-07-15 09:33:31 +00:00
Commented Jul 15, 2014 at 9:33 — BLUEPIXY
– BLUEPIXY, Commented Jul 15, 2014 at 9:33

Jim Balter · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-15 03:07:14Z

1

a warning to alert users to avoid using chars as index of matrix because they can be signned, but obviously this is not the case

Actually, it is the case ... what you see is not what the compiler sees.

is it related with the fact that isspace expects an int as argument?

Yes; isspace is a macro which (in your compiler implementation) accesses an array ... take a look at your ctype.h or ask your compiler to expand macros (e.g., gcc -E) and you will see the array access.

To avoid the warning, use

if (!isspace((unsigned char)c))

edited Jul 15, 2014 at 3:07

answered Jul 15, 2014 at 3:00

Jim Balter

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