Re: technology discussion → does the world need a "new" C ?

On 12/07/2024 16:58, Keith Thompson wrote:

bart <bc@freeuk.com> writes:
[...]

If you had to describe to someone how a function accesses array data
in its caller, what would you say?

 The same thing I've written to you many times over the last several
years in this newsgroup.
 

It's clearly not by value. It's apparently not by reference. You can't
get away with saying they are not passed, as clearly functions *can*
access array data via parameters.

 Yes, function can access array data by means other than passing arrays
as parameters.
 

Or would you merely refer to the relevant section in the language reference?

 That, and to section 6 of the comp.lang.c FAQ, which is an excellent
description of C's treatment of arrays and pointers.  You've repeatedly
declined to say whether you've read it.  I encourage you to do so.
 

Just curious.

 Sure you are.

Actually, I /was/ genuinely curious as to how a function's access to its caller's array elements are described without using 'pointer' or 'reference'.
Because as AFAIK this whole subthread seems to about people trying to catch me out on some pedantry.
All it needed was for someone to agree that yes, arrays are /effectively/ passed by reference, even if it's not true by-reference and not a general purpose feature of the language.
People can't seem to help throwing insults.