Compound literal
A compound literal is a C expression consisting of a parenthesized type name followed by an initializer that creates an unnamed object.
Modern C, Third Edition
A compound literal is C syntax consisting of a type name in parentheses followed by an initializer that creates an unnamed object with the specified type and value.
- How it is used
- Uses compound literals to construct typed unnamed objects in macro replacements and check macro argument compatibility.
- How deep it goes
- Defines the syntax and object semantics, then works through macro pitfalls, initialization checks, and contrasting local-object lifetimes.
- Examples
- Uses an array-of-names macro, a pointer-printing argument check, and while-versus-goto lifetime snippets.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch: write typed compound literals for macros and argument checks while avoiding invalid access after an object's lifetime.
Read how Modern C, Third Edition explains compound literal →
Modern C
A compound literal is a C expression consisting of a parenthesized type name followed by an initializer that defines an unnamed object.
- How it is used
- Deploys compound literals in typed macros, constant-like arrays, lifetime demonstrations, and compile-time argument checks.
- How deep it goes
- Defines syntax, object semantics, macro pitfalls, lifetime, repeated evaluation, and assignment compatibility without broader aggregate internals.
- Examples
- Uses a named corvid array macro, a `goto` lifetime experiment, and pointer-tracing macros for concrete demonstrations.
- What you can do after
- Apply compound literals in C macros and diagnose their constant-expression, lifetime, and type-checking consequences.
Related concepts
- objectproduces · A computational object is a runtime entity or structured value representing data, state, or a resource, with properties or operations defined by its programming model.
- integer constant expressioncontrasts with · An integer constant expression is an expression whose value can be determined during translation using only permitted constant operands and operations.
- macrouses · A macro is a named construct that expands or transforms source code, commands, or templates before or during execution.
- initializerhas part · An initializer is a function, declaration, or language construct that establishes the initial value or state of an object, value, computation, or process.
- constexprused by · constexpr is a C++ or C language specifier that allows entities or expressions to satisfy compile-time constant-evaluation requirements.
- effective typeconfigures · An effective type is the C type through which an object may be accessed under the language’s object-access rules.
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