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Static array parameter qualifier

As explained in Modern C

A static array parameter is a C array-parameter declaration whose static bound promises that the argument points to at least one element.

A non-null single-object parameter

void func(double a[static 1]); Here, array syntax documents that a must point to at least one double. The static 1 notation distinguishes this contract from a parameter that may receive a null pointer. section 15.0

TAKEAWAY: A static array parameter uses array-parameter syntax to state a minimum number of pointed-to elements. The bound may describe one object or a known collection. section 15.0

Choose the declaration according to the pointer contract:

  • Use static 1 for a pointer to one object that must be non-null: void func(double a[static 1]); section 15.0
  • Use static N for a pointer to at least N elements: void func(double a[static 7]); section 15.0
  • Use a VLA parameter when the element count is supplied separately: void func(size_t n, double a[n]); section 15.0
  • Use pointer syntax when null is permitted: void func(double *a); section 15.0
void func(double a[static 1]);
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Inspect the complete static 1 declaration and its highlighted syntax. section 15.0

How Modern C covers it

How deep it goes
Defines static 1 and static N notation, then contrasts them with VLA and nullable pointer declarations.
Examples
Uses func declarations with static 1, static 7, a VLA bound, and a plain pointer.
What you can do after
Apply the notation to declare C functions with explicit non-null or minimum-array-size expectations.
How it connects
Connects array parameters with pointers, variable-length arrays, null pointers, and dynamic allocation.
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Related concepts

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Modern C. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.