ndmalloc

Dynamically allocated multi-dimensional arrays for C

##Purpose

Provide multi-dimensional arrays in C that know their shape and allow the standard repeat square bracket syntax of element access.

##Example

/*
  simple_ndmalloc_example.c

  This simple example for ndmalloc creates an array of rank 2
  (i.e. a matrix) with dimensions 4x6, which starts off as all
  zeros.  The program set a few elements, and then prints the matrix. 

  Ramses van Zon, September 2016  
*/
#include <stdio.h>
#include <assert.h>
#include <ndmalloc.h>

void print_matrix(int** m)
{
    int i, j;
    for (i = 0; i < ndsize(m,0); ++i) {
        for (j = 0; j < ndsize(m,1); ++j) {
            printf("%d ", m[i][j]);
        }
        printf("\n");
    }
}

int main()
{
    int** m = ndcalloc(sizeof(int),2,4,6);
    m[0][0] = 5;
    m[3][5] = 1;
    print_matrix(m);
    ndfree(m);
}

To compile this (provided ndmalloc was installed already):

cc simple_ndmalloc_example.c -o simple_ndmalloc -lndmalloc

##Installation (Linux)

First, compile the source:

make

This compiles the library. Type make all to get a number of examples compiled as well.

Next, to install the library and header file in the /usr tree, type:

sudo make install

If you do not have root access, or you want to install in a non-standard location, you can use:

make install PREFIX=[BASEDIR]

with [BASEDIR] replaced with a directory of your choice. Inside [BASEDIR], files will be installed in two subdirectories, include and lib. Finally, if you use the PREFIX option, make sure these directories are added to the CFLAGS and LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variables, respectively.