What happens if you declare an array without specifying its size?

What happens if you declare an array without specifying its size?

• A. The compiler will automatically assign the default size
• B. An error will occur at compile time
• C. The array will not be created
• D. The size will depend on the type of values stored

Answer: (B)

When an array is declared without specifying its size, the compiler generates an error at compile time. In C, arrays require a size defined at the moment of declaration to allocate the necessary memory for storing the elements. This size can either be a constant integer or a macro that evaluates to a constant integer. Omitting the size leaves the compiler without sufficient information to allocate the required memory, resulting in a compilation error. Each array declaration must explicitly communicate how many elements it will contain for the program to function properly and safely manage memory. The other options present misunderstandings about array behavior in C. For instance, the idea that the compiler assigns a default size or that the array creation itself is deferred is incorrect, as the language's syntax and structure require clear specifications for array declarations. Additionally, stating that the size depends on the type of values stored misrepresents how arrays are defined in C; the type of values only influences the data type of the array but not the size itself.

When an array is declared without specifying its size, the compiler generates an error at compile time. In C, arrays require a size defined at the moment of declaration to allocate the necessary memory for storing the elements. This size can either be a constant integer or a macro that evaluates to a constant integer. Omitting the size leaves the compiler without sufficient information to allocate the required memory, resulting in a compilation error. Each array declaration must explicitly communicate how many elements it will contain for the program to function properly and safely manage memory.

The other options present misunderstandings about array behavior in C. For instance, the idea that the compiler assigns a default size or that the array creation itself is deferred is incorrect, as the language's syntax and structure require clear specifications for array declarations. Additionally, stating that the size depends on the type of values stored misrepresents how arrays are defined in C; the type of values only influences the data type of the array but not the size itself.