Why does struct have two variable names in C/C++

Question

In the below code why does the struct have two variable names?

#include <sys/resource.h>

int main (int argc, char **argv)
{
    const rlim_t kStackSize = 64L * 1024L * 1024L;

    struct rlimit rl;    //HERE

    int result = getrlimit(RLIMIT_STACK, &rl);


    return 0;
}

It has one variable name: rl. If this is C++, the struct isn't needed, and if this is C, you can change the type so it isn't needed. — Qaz
– Qaz, Commented Apr 1, 2014 at 0:45

Yu Hao · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-01 00:46:20Z

2

In C, struct with its tag together is a name, unless it's typedefed.

In C++, you can omit the struct keyword.

answered Apr 1, 2014 at 0:46

Yu Hao

123k50 gold badges252 silver badges305 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

user997112 Over a year ago

Ah so rlimit is a "type" of struct?

Yu Hao Over a year ago

@user997112 In C, struct rlimit is a type, rlimit alone is just a struct tag.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:49:53Z

1

If this is C, the struct is just to tell C that it is in a different namespace.

See: understanding C namespaces

If this is C+++, then the struct is not needed.

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:49

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Apr 1, 2014 at 0:47

Leif Andersen

22.4k21 gold badges75 silver badges109 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Why does struct have two variable names in C/C++

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related