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digitalmars.D - Feature request: array stuff

reply "Janice Caron" <caron800 googlemail.com> writes:
I would like to be able to allocate a dynamic array on the stack.
The following compiles, but does not achieve the desired effect:

    int n = 100;
    scope array = new int[n];

The array is allocated on the heap, not the stack. I would like it to
be allocated on the stack.

I would also like to be able to create uninitialised dynamic arrays:

    // on the heap
    auto array = new int[n] = void;

    // on the stack
    scope array = new int[n] = void;

Note that the last one of these can be implemented in machine code
merely by decrementing the stack pointer! (Well - almost. array.ptr
and array.length would still need to be assigned, but I can live with
that).

Obviously, increasing the length of a scope array would have to be illegal!

Finally, I want to be able to increase the length of an array without
initialising the new elements:

    array.length = 100 = void;

(The syntax of the last one leaves a bit to be desired, but I can't
think of anything better off hand, right now).

Does anyone know if any or all of these are already the subject of
enhancement request? Does anyone else want any of these? Is there any
reason why I shouldn't add this to bugzilla?
Apr 24 2008
next sibling parent bearophile <bearophileHUGS lycos.com> writes:
Janice Caron Wrote:

 I would like to be able to allocate a dynamic array on the stack.
 I would also like to be able to create uninitialised dynamic arrays:
In the "extra" module in my D libs there are functions for that: http://www.fantascienza.net/leonardo/so/libs_d.zip
 Finally, I want to be able to increase the length of an array without
 initialising the new elements:
This needs more work... Bye, bearophile
Apr 24 2008
prev sibling parent reply Lionello Lunesu <lio lunesu.remove.com> writes:
Janice Caron wrote:
 I would like to be able to allocate a dynamic array on the stack.
 The following compiles, but does not achieve the desired effect:
 
     int n = 100;
     scope array = new int[n];
Maybe this could be made to work as well: #int n = 100; #int[n] array; L.
May 04 2008
parent reply "Koroskin Denis" <2korden gmail.com> writes:
On Sun, 04 May 2008 19:22:29 +0400, Lionello Lunesu  
<lio lunesu.remove.com> wrote:

 Janice Caron wrote:
 I would like to be able to allocate a dynamic array on the stack.
 The following compiles, but does not achieve the desired effect:
      int n = 100;
     scope array = new int[n];
Maybe this could be made to work as well: #int n = 100; #int[n] array; L.
That's not a dynamic allocation, i.e. you cannot do like this: void foo(int i) { int[i] array; } And I don't know of any language, that could do that. Problem is, you have to deal with stack alignment. C/C++/D use "static stack alignment", i.e. it is mostly manager at compile time. The only way of manipulating it at run time is a recursion. Asm statements don't help, because for each "asm { push something; }" statement there is corresponding hidden "asm { pop; }" added.
 Janice Caron wrote:
 I would also like to be able to create uninitialised dynamic arrays:
    // on the heap
    auto array = new int[n] = void;

    // on the stack
    scope array = new int[n] = void;
I would rather stick with capacity member, i.e: char[] array; array.length = 100; // zeroes out 100 elements array.capacity = 200; // 0..100 are zeroes, 101..200 hold garbage capacity can be implemented as a member function, rather than a field, so that (array.sizeof == 8) still true.
May 08 2008
parent reply "Janice Caron" <caron800 googlemail.com> writes:
2008/5/8 Koroskin Denis <2korden gmail.com>:
  That's not a dynamic allocation, i.e. you cannot do like this:

  void foo(int i)
  {
    int[i] array;
  }

  And I don't know of any language, that could do that.
C99. http://www.comeaucomputing.com/techtalk/c99/#variablelengtharrays
May 08 2008
parent Fawzi Mohamed <fmohamed mac.com> writes:
On 2008-05-08 16:18:04 +0200, "Janice Caron" <caron800 googlemail.com> said:

 2008/5/8 Koroskin Denis <2korden gmail.com>:
 That's not a dynamic allocation, i.e. you cannot do like this:
 
 void foo(int i)
 {
 int[i] array;
 }
 
 And I don't know of any language, that could do that.
C99. http://www.comeaucomputing.com/techtalk/c99/#variablelengtharrays
also fortran can do this :) Indeed it can be useful. An ugly side effect is that then the stack can grow a lot and you hit the default ulimit (ifort does it).
May 08 2008