Returning a string array from a function

[Ben Bacarisse]

while(strcmp(ptrlist, ""))

This test would be simpler with a NULL as the end marker.

I agree that it is silly to use an empty string as a sentinel, but
how is while(ptrlist) simpler than while(ptrlist[0])?

True. I forgot that I had already explained how to remove the strcmp
call!

Of course, it *is* simpler by almost any measure, but I won't argue
the point -- I know exactly what you mean. Once the function call has
been replaced the two test are essentially equivalent.

 

[Adam]

It would be more idiomatic to use NULL for the final sentinel value
and even more idiomatic to return the number of strings and have no
sentinel.

After a bit of exploration, I've altered the function to return the
number of strings.

[snip other helpful comments]

Thanks to all who provided advice, I've got my function working now
and have learned more about indirection and char arrays in the
process.

Adam