undefined | Better HN

0 pointsmasklinn10y ago0 comments

Except sizeof is a compile-time operation, not runtime. If sizeof were a function,

    int *foo = malloc(sizeof(*foo));

would make no sense.

0 comments

barrkel10y ago

Compile-time functions are a thing. Not in C, but in other languages, including C++.

This all comes down to what you think "function" means. If you're living in a C bubble, of course sizeof isn't a function. If you have a wider mapping (!) for the word, then it is a kind of function.

mcguire10y ago

If you think everything called a "function", in every context, is the same thing, you are going to have a very bad day.

userbinator10y ago

In C99, sizeof is compile-time only if VLAs are not involved.

In C89, sizeof is always compile-time.

rdc1210y ago

So in practice it works more like a C Macro then a C function?

Edit, except it doesn't treat arguments the same, so no.

cygx10y ago

It's neither:

sizeof belongs in its own category of unary compile-time(-ish) operators, whose only other member is _Alignof.

If you're so inclined, you might add _Generic and _Pragma to that mix as well, but they aren't really a close fit.

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