Size of structure-
Size of structure can be found out using sizeof() operator with structure variable
name or tag name with keyword.
sizeof(struct student); or
sizeof(s1);
sizeof(s2);
Size of structure is different in different machines. So size of whole structure may
not be equal to sum of size of its members.
Array of structures
When database of any element is used in huge amount, we prefer Array of
structures.
Example: suppose we want to maintain data base of 200 students, Array of
structures is used.
#include<stdio.h>
#include<string.h>
struct student
{
char name[30];
char branch[25];
int roll;h
};
void main()
struct student s[200];
int i;
s[i].roll=i+1;
printf("\nEnter information of students:");
for(i=0;i<200;i++)
printf("\nEnter the roll no:%d\n",s[i].roll);
printf("\nEnter the name:");
scanf("%s",s[i].name);
printf("\nEnter the branch:");
scanf("%s",s[i].branch);
printf("\n");
printf("\nDisplaying information of students:\n\n");
for(i=0;i<200;i++)
printf("\n\nInformation for roll no%d:\n",i+1);
printf("\nName:");
puts(s[i].name);
printf("\nBranch:");
puts(s[i].branch);
In Array of structures each element of array is of structure type as in above
example.
Array within structures
struct student
char name[30];
int roll,age,marks[5];
}; struct student s[200];
We can also initialize using same syntax as in array.
Nested structure
When a structure is within another structure, it is called Nested structure. A
structure variable can be a member of another structure and it is represented as
struct student
{
element 1;
element 2;
………
………
struct student1
member 1;
member 2;
}variable 1;
……….
……….
element n;
}variable 2;
It is possible to define structure outside & declare its variable inside other
structure.
struct date
int date,month;
};
struct student
{
char nm[20];
int roll;
struct date d;
}; struct student s1;
struct student s2,s3;
Nested structure may also be initialized at the time of declaration like in above
example.
struct student s={“name”,200, {date, month}};
{“ram”,201, {12,11}};
Nesting of structure within itself is not valid. Nesting of structure can be
extended to any level.
struct time
int hr,min;
};
struct day
int date,month;
struct time t1;
};
struct student
{
char nm[20];
struct day d;
}stud1, stud2, stud3;
Lecture Note: 25
Passing structure elements to function
We can pass each element of the structure through function but passing individual
element is difficult when number of structure element increases. To overcome this,
we use to pass the whole structure through function instead of passing individual
element.
#include<stdio.h>
#include<string.h>
void main()
struct student
char name[30];
char branch[25];
int roll;
}struct student s;
printf(“\n enter name=”);
gets(s.name);
printf("\nEnter roll:");
scanf("%d",&s.roll);
printf("\nEnter branch:");
gets(s.branch);
display(name,roll,branch);
display(char name, int roll, char branch)
printf(“\n name=%s,\n roll=%d, \n branch=%s”, s.name, s.roll. s.branch);
Passing entire structure to function
#include<stdio.h>
#include<string.h>
struct student
char name[30];
int age,roll;
};
display(struct student); //passing entire structure
void main()
{
struct student s1={”sona”,16,101 };
struct student s2={”rupa”,17,102 };
display(s1);
display(s2);
display(struct student s)
printf(“\n name=%s, \n age=%d ,\n roll=%d”, s.name, s.age, s.roll);
Output: name=sona
roll=16
Lecture Note: 26
UNION
Union is derived data type contains collection of different data type or dissimilar
elements. All definition declaration of union variable and accessing member is
similar to structure, but instead of keyword struct the keyword union is used, the
main difference between union and structure is
Each member of structure occupy the memory location, but in the unions
members share memory. Union is used for saving memory and concept is useful
when it is not necessary to use all members of union at a time.
Where union offers a memory treated as variable of one type on one occasion
where (struct), it read number of different variables stored at different place of
memory.
Syntax of union:
union student
datatype member1;
datatype member2;
};
Like structure variable, union variable can be declared with definition or separately
such as
union union name
Datatype member1;
}var1;
Example:- union student s;
Union members can also be accessed by the dot operator with union variable and if
we have pointer to union then member can be accessed by using (arrow) operator
as with structure.
Example:-
struct
student
struct
student
int i;
char ch[10];
};struct student s;
Here datatype/member structure occupy 12 byte of location is
memory, where as in the union side it occupy only 10 byte.
