How to create a 'static' variable for a struct in C

Question

I would like to have a struct that functions like this:

struct

I am aware that the static keyword does not do this. My question is, how can I mimic this behavior?

Could I create a member that is pointer to a global variable?

Is there some other better way to do this?

If the member is common to all structs why include it as a member? — Weather Vane
– Weather Vane, Commented Nov 5, 2015 at 20:41
I'm not sure you can, it is not object oriented. You cannot do struct::static_member in C. — SomethingSomething
– SomethingSomething, Commented Nov 5, 2015 at 20:42

dbush · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-05 21:28:58Z

3

Unlike structs in C++ which can have static data members, C structs don't have such a construct.

Since this is a common value for anyone that may use it, just declare it as a global:

int my_struct_common_val = 42;

struct my_struct {
    ...
};

answered Nov 5, 2015 at 21:28

dbush

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1 Comment

If this is in a header file then you will need to use extern int my_struct_common_val; with definition in exactly one .c file