Typedef, structures and unions

Abstract

In this chapter we will be examining ways of extending the data types which we have covered in earlier chapters. The three keywords struct, union and typedef enable a great variety of data structures to be created. The ability to create structures to represent complex arrangements of data is a very important part of program design. Often half the battle in solving a problem is getting the data representation correct. Before you work through this chapter you should make sure that you are familiar with the material covered in the earlier chapters. Many of the ideas we will be discussing require a good understanding of the earlier material. In particular you should be happy with arrays of various types and pointers.

“In short, the notion of structure is comprised of three key ideas: the idea of wholeness, the idea of transformation and the idea of self-regulation.”

Jean Piaget