Is run time initialization of an array an initialization or an assignment?

Answer 1

It is an initialisation. You cannot assign values to a dynamic array until it has been initialised. Static arrays can be initialised at compile time. They can also be assigned at compile time.

void main()

{

// Compile time:

// =========

// Initialise a static array.

int arr1[10];

// Initialise and assign a static array.

int arr2[10] = {0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9};

// Runtime:

// ======

// Dynamic array (size unknown, no memory allocated)

int* pArr[];

// Initialise (size known, allocate memory, 40 bytes):

pArr = ( int* ) malloc( 10 * sizeof( int ));

// Assign (set values of elements):

int x;

for(x=0;x<10;++x)

pArr[x] = x;

// Uninitialise (release memory).

free( pArr );

return( 0 );

}