Structure in C
What is a Structure?
A user-defined data type in C that allows us to combine variables of
different data types under a single name.
Why use Structures?
Organize complex data
Keep related information together
Example: Storing student details, employee info, etc.
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Array Vs Structure
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Rules for Initializing Structures
1. Structure variables can be initialized at the time of declaration.
Example: struct Student s1 = {101, "Rahim", 3.75};
2. Values must follow the order of member declaration.
Example: struct Student s2 = {102, "Karim", 3.90}; // id → name → cgpa
3. Character arrays (strings) require double quotes " " for initialization.
4. Designated initializers are used to assign specific members of a structure,
while any member not assigned is set to 0 by default.
Example: struct Student s4 = {.name="Sadia", .cgpa=3.85}; // id defaults to 0
5. Multiple structure variables can be initialized in a single statement.
Example: struct Student s5 = {104,"Rafi",3.70}, s6 = {105,"Nabila",3.95};
6. Pointers to structures can be initialized using the address of a structure
variable.
Example: struct Student *ptr = &s1;
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Example: Simple Structure in C
Steps
1. Structure declaration
2. Declaring Structure variable
3. Assigning values to structure
members.
4. Printing the values
OUTPUT
Example: Search Student by ID
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Pointer to Structure in C
A pointer to a structure is a variable that stores the address of a
structure variable.
It allows us to access the members of the structure indirectly.
Why use pointers with structures?
Efficient memory usage → pass structures to functions without copying
whole structure
Dynamic memory allocation → create structures at runtime
Useful for linked lists, trees, and other data structure
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Structure Member Access in C
Two Ways to Access Members
1. Dot Operator (.)
Used with normal structure variable.
Syntax: variable.member
Example: s.roll
2. Arrow Operator (->)
Used with pointer to structure.
Syntax: pointer->member
Shorthand for (*pointer).member
Example: p->roll
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Example: Two Ways to Access Structure Members
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References
Online resources
Programming in ANSI: E Balagurusamy
Review Questions and Programming
Exercise (Chapter -10)
