find sizeof char array C++

Question

im trying to get the sizeof char array variable in a different function where it was initialize however cant get the right sizeof. please see code below

int foo(uint8 *buffer){
cout <<"sizeof: "<< sizeof(buffer) <<endl;
}
int main()
{
uint8 txbuffer[13]={0};
uint8 uibuffer[4] = "abc";
uint8 rxbuffer[4] = "def";
uint8 l[2]="g";
int index = 1;

foo(txbuffer);
cout <<"sizeof after foo(): " <<sizeof(txbuffer) <<endl;
return 0;
}

the output is:

sizeof: 4
sizeof after foo(): 13

desired output is:

sizeof: 13
sizeof after foo(): 13

Marlon · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-25 20:03:38Z

15

This can't be done with pointers alone. Pointers contain no information about the size of the array - they are only a memory address. Because arrays decay to pointers when passed to a function, you lose the size of the array.

One way however is to use templates:

template <typename T, size_t N>
size_t foo(const T (&buffer)[N])
{
    cout << "size: " << N << endl;
    return N;
}

You can then call the function like this (just like any other function):

int main()
{
    char a[42];
    int b[100];
    short c[77];

    foo(a);
    foo(b);
    foo(c);
}

Output:

size: 42
size: 100
size: 77

edited Nov 25, 2011 at 20:03

answered Nov 25, 2011 at 19:41

Marlon

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2 Comments

Carlitos Overflow Over a year ago

@Marlon im new to templates in C++, so how i should call function foo?, an example would be appreciated.

Carlitos Overflow Over a year ago

@Marlon how about adding function foo() and template to the header file?

Adrian Cornish · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-25 19:41:07Z

5

You cant. In foo you are asking for the size of a "uint8_t pointer". Pass the size as a separate parameter if you need it in foo.

answered Nov 25, 2011 at 19:41

Adrian Cornish

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Comments

Loki Astari · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-25 19:42:25Z

1

Some template magic:

template<typename T, size_t size>
size_t getSize(T (& const)[ size ])
{
    std::cout << "Size: " << size << "\n";
    return size;
}

answered Nov 25, 2011 at 19:42

Loki Astari

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