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Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault?

From Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com>
Newsgroups comp.lang.c
Subject Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault?
Date 2024-08-13 17:40 -0700
Organization A noiseless patient Spider
Message-ID <86h6boszrb.fsf@linuxsc.com> (permalink)
References (1 earlier) <v8fhhl$232oi$1@dont-email.me> <v8fn2u$243nb$1@dont-email.me> <87jzh0gdru.fsf@nosuchdomain.example.com> <865xs54fak.fsf@linuxsc.com> <v9fqtb$3t7ph$4@dont-email.me>

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Vir Campestris <vir.campestris@invalid.invalid> writes:

> On 12/08/2024 22:11, Tim Rentsch wrote:
>
>> Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> writes:
>>
>> [...]
>>
>>> A string literal creates an array object with static storage
>>> duration.  [...]
>>
>> A small quibble.  Every string literal does sit in an array,
>> but it might not be a _new_ array, because different string
>> literals are allowed to overlap as long as the bytes in the
>> overlapping arrays have the right values.
>
> And this is exactly why string literals should always have been
> const.

The people who wrote the C standard reached a different
conclusion, and IMO the right one.

> A compiler is entitled to share memory between strings.  so
>
>     puts("lap");
>     puts("overlap");
>
> it's entitled to make them overlap.  Then add
>
>     char * p = "lap";
>     *p='X';
>
> and it can overwrite the shared string.  I think.  which would
> mean that writing "lap" again would have a different result.

A C implementation is also allowed to put every string literal
in its own separate array object, not shared even when two
or more string literals are identical, and make them writable
so they can be modified without problems.  I believe some C
compilers actually did this, perhaps under the control of a
compilation option.

> But that ship has sailed.  I'm not even sure const had been
> invented that far back!

C was already well established before 'const' was invented, and it
was a number of years after that before some C compilers started
allowing 'const' in source code.  The cost of not being backward
compatible would be high;  the cost adding const incrementally in
new code is low.  Generally speaking using string literals in open
code is a bad idea anyway, regardless whether there is any concern
that the string might be modified.  I think most people who want
string literals to be of type const char[] are only thinking about
one side of the equation.  It's always important to remember to
look at both sides of the cost/benefit forces, and not focus on
just the (imagined) benefits or (imagined) downsides.

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relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Mark Summerfield <mark@qtrac.eu> - 2024-08-01 08:06 +0000
  Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Mark Summerfield <mark@qtrac.eu> - 2024-08-01 08:24 +0000
    Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Ben Bacarisse <ben@bsb.me.uk> - 2024-08-01 11:53 +0100
  Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Richard Harnden <richard.nospam@gmail.invalid> - 2024-08-01 09:38 +0100
    Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Mark Summerfield <mark@qtrac.eu> - 2024-08-01 08:54 +0000
    Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Bart <bc@freeuk.com> - 2024-08-01 11:12 +0100
      Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-01 13:59 -0700
        Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Bart <bc@freeuk.com> - 2024-08-01 22:07 +0100
          Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-01 14:28 -0700
          Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2024-08-01 20:20 -0400
          Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Kaz Kylheku <643-408-1753@kylheku.com> - 2024-08-02 01:06 +0000
            Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Bart <bc@freeuk.com> - 2024-08-02 10:43 +0100
              Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Richard Damon <richard@damon-family.org> - 2024-08-02 11:03 -0400
              Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2024-08-02 14:19 -0400
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Bart <bc@freeuk.com> - 2024-08-02 19:33 +0100
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2024-08-03 01:31 +0000
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Richard Damon <richard@damon-family.org> - 2024-08-02 22:01 -0400
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Joe Pfeiffer <pfeiffer@cs.nmsu.edu> - 2024-08-03 08:32 -0600
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2024-08-04 01:05 +0000
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 02:52 -0700
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-13 17:46 -0700
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-13 18:44 -0700
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-15 16:00 -0700
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-15 16:27 -0700
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2024-08-14 10:33 -0400
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-15 16:05 -0700
          Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2024-08-04 15:52 +0200
        Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 14:11 -0700
          Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Vir Campestris <vir.campestris@invalid.invalid> - 2024-08-13 15:34 +0100
            Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-13 13:08 -0700
              Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-13 17:41 -0700
              Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2024-08-14 10:40 +0200
            Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-13 17:40 -0700
              Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-13 18:47 -0700
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Kaz Kylheku <643-408-1753@kylheku.com> - 2024-08-14 03:16 +0000
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-13 20:49 -0700
  Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal) - 2024-08-01 13:28 +0000
  No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Michael S <already5chosen@yahoo.com> - 2024-08-01 17:40 +0300
    Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2024-08-01 19:56 +0200
      Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? candycanearter07 <candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> - 2024-08-02 05:30 +0000
        Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-02 03:02 -0700
          Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Richard Harnden <richard.nospam@gmail.invalid> - 2024-08-02 13:04 +0100
            Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2024-08-02 09:59 -0400
            Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-02 11:24 -0700
              Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Richard Damon <richard@damon-family.org> - 2024-08-02 14:42 -0400
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2024-08-02 14:58 -0400
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Richard Damon <richard@damon-family.org> - 2024-08-02 15:11 -0400
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 08:32 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 08:27 -0700
              Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-02 12:27 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Ben Bacarisse <ben@bsb.me.uk> - 2024-08-02 23:29 +0100
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-02 16:11 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Ben Bacarisse <ben@bsb.me.uk> - 2024-08-05 02:06 +0100
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-04 19:37 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-04 19:38 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Ben Bacarisse <ben@bsb.me.uk> - 2024-08-05 12:03 +0100
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-05 13:35 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Ben Bacarisse <ben@bsb.me.uk> - 2024-08-05 21:54 +0100
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-05 15:39 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Ben Bacarisse <ben@bsb.me.uk> - 2024-08-06 12:29 +0100
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-06 12:48 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Ben Bacarisse <ben@bsb.me.uk> - 2024-08-06 23:59 +0100
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-12 16:18 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2024-08-05 15:44 -0700
              Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 14:38 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-12 14:55 -0700
            Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? dave_thompson_2@comcast.net - 2024-08-25 16:52 -0400
              Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-25 14:26 -0700
          Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 14:33 -0700
            Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-12 14:45 -0700
              Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 16:05 -0700
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2024-08-13 13:08 +0200
                Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-13 13:00 -0700
        Re: No warning at implicit removal of const. Was: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2024-08-03 19:54 +0200
  Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2024-08-01 12:02 -0400
  Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Kaz Kylheku <643-408-1753@kylheku.com> - 2024-08-01 19:39 +0000
    Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Bart <bc@freeuk.com> - 2024-08-01 21:42 +0100
      Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-01 14:13 -0700
      Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Ben Bacarisse <ben@bsb.me.uk> - 2024-08-01 22:40 +0100
      Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Kaz Kylheku <643-408-1753@kylheku.com> - 2024-08-02 00:37 +0000
        Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Bart <bc@freeuk.com> - 2024-08-02 11:36 +0100
        Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 13:47 -0700
      Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2024-08-03 00:14 +0200
        Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal) - 2024-08-03 17:07 +0000
          Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-03 17:11 -0700
        Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-03 17:07 -0700
          Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2024-08-04 01:08 +0000
            Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-03 19:58 -0700
              Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Richard Damon <richard@damon-family.org> - 2024-08-04 07:22 -0400
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-12 02:55 -0700
              Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2024-08-05 06:33 +0000
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-04 23:38 -0700
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2024-08-05 21:27 +0000
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-05 15:40 -0700
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Bart <bc@freeuk.com> - 2024-08-06 16:57 +0100
                Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2024-08-06 20:40 +0200
          Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2024-08-04 17:20 +0200
    Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2024-08-01 14:06 -0700
    Re: relearning C: why does an in-place change to a char* segfault? Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2024-08-13 17:43 -0700

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