How do you Return an Array from a Function in C ?

Returning Arrays from Functions in C

In C , returning an array from a function is not directly possible, as an array's memory cannot be copied through a return statement. To circumvent this limitation, alternative approaches must be employed.

Using Vectors

Vectors, part of the C Standard Library, are dynamic arrays that can be used to store and return collections of elements. They provide a convenient alternative to built-in arrays and can be easily copied and manipulated.

std::vector<int> myfunction(const std::vector<int>& my_array) {
  std::vector<int> f_array;
  // ... Operations on f_array ...
  return f_array;
}

Using Boost Arrays

Boost arrays, provided by the Boost library, are fixed-size arrays that offer a more straightforward syntax than std::vectors. They encapsulate a raw array and ensure safe access within the specified bounds.

boost::array<int, 2> myfunction(const boost::array<int, 2>& my_array) {
  boost::array<int, 2> f_array;
  // ... Operations on f_array ...
  return f_array;
}

Using Memory Pointers

Returning a memory pointer pointing to the array's elements is another approach. However, this method requires manual memory management and should be cautiously employed, especially in multithreaded environments.

int* myfunction(int* my_array) {
  // ... Operations on my_array ...
  return my_array;
}

Note: In your code example, the array my_array is declared with a single element ([1]). To hold two values, it should be declared as [2]. Additionally, the returned array in your proposed function (f_array) would require a pointer to be returned, as arrays themselves cannot be returned directly.

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