Array Macros for Dynamic Arrays

A set of macros for managing dynamic arrays in C. These macros simplify operations like creation, resizing, and memory management.

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Declaring the Array Type

Before using the macros, you need to declare the array type globally using the generate_array_type(type) macro. This should be placed in the global header scope to define the array type structure for the specified type type.

generate_array_type(int);

This declares a dynamic array type for int. You can use any valid C type, such as float, double, or custom structs.

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Macros

array_make(T, size)

Creates a dynamic array of type T with an initial size.

Usage:

Array(int) myArray = array_make(int, 10);

array_free(arr)

Frees the memory of the array.

Usage:

array_free(myArray);

array_push(arr, value)

Appends a value to the end of the array, resizing if necessary.

Usage:

array_push(myArray, 42);

array_start(arr)

Returns a pointer to the first element of the array.

Usage:

int *start = array_start(myArray);

array_end(arr)

Returns a pointer to the last element of the array.

Usage:

int *end = array_end(myArray);

array_at(arr, idx)

Accesses the element at a specific index.

Usage:

int value = array_at(myArray, 2);

array_length(arr)

Returns the number of elements in the array.

Usage:

usize length = array_length(myArray);

array_for_each(arr, el)

Iterates over each element in the array.

Usage:

array_for_each(myArray, el)
{
    printf("%d\n", *el);
}

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Example

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

// Assuming macros are included

// Declare the array type globally
generate_array_type(int);

int main()
{
    Array(int) myArray = array_make(int, 5); // Create array

    array_push(myArray, 10); // Add values
    array_push(myArray, 20);
    array_push(myArray, 30);

    array_for_each(myArray, el) // Print values
    {
        printf("%d\n", *el);
    }

    array_free(myArray); // Free memory
    return 0;
}

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Notes

• Ensure sufficient memory when resizing arrays.
• Handle memory allocation failures with error handling.
• Always free arrays with array_free to prevent memory leaks.