Re: no alloca() available - alternative?

[Scott Klement <c400-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'd change the ported code to use malloc(), and add code to clean up the 
allocations (as appropriate)

That way, your code would be portable, run anywhere, etc.

If you use a MI call, such as _modasa, that code will only run on IBM 
i...  if you try to port to another system that doesn't have alloca(), 
you'll need a separate workaround for that system, and you end up with 
20+ sections of #define macros for compatibility.

Better to use malloc/free and write it in a portable fashion in the 
first place.  (I'd only write my own alloca() if changing to malloc() 
would be too time-consuming.)


On 12/3/2010 1:46 PM, Schmidt, Mihael wrote:
> Hi,
>
> the ported software uses alloca() at some locations. Obviously alloca() is not support on IBM i. What is the alternative? malloc? What do I have to take into account when changing this to malloc? (besides freeing the memory afterwards)
>
> Thanx in advance
>
> Mihael Schmidt
> Anwendungsentwicklung
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