How to initialize static pointer with malloc in C?

Question

I\'m trying to initiate a static variable (inside a function) with malloc in C, but I\'m getting the \"initializer not constant error\". I know that I can\'t initiate a stat

Answer 1

Assuming you want function-static variables:

int foo(void) {
    static int b=1;
    static int *p;
    if (b) {
        p =  malloc(sizeof(int));
        b = 0;
    }
    ...
}

You can use NULL value for p as a check, as long as you know it will never be NULL after the first call.

Remember to check for errors in malloc; it is a runtime allocation, and should also be freed when it will not be needed anymore.