Question

I have a stuct in C, and I use a function to get the values for the structure from the user. Below is my structure.

typedef struct {
    char    *name;
    char    *chemical_symbol;
    char    *class;
    int     atomic_number;
    double  atomic_weight;
    int     *electrons;
} element_t;

This is the function I am using to get the values from the user. The problem lies in this function after asking for the chemical symbol. I get Bus Error: 10. My understanding of a bus error is when the processor cant attempt the memory access. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

element_t scan_element() {

    element_t element;

    printf ("Enter New Element Information:\n\n");

    printf("Element Name: ");
    scanf("%s", element.name);

    printf("Element Chemical Symbol: ");
    scanf("%s", element.chemical_symbol);

    printf("Element Class: ");
    scanf("%s", element.class);

    printf("Element Atomic Number: ");
    scanf("%d", &element.atomic_number);

    printf("Element Atomic Weight: ");
    scanf("%lf", &element.atmoic_weight);

    printf("Element Electrons: ");
    scanf("%p", &element.electrons);

    return(element);
}

Answer 1

printf("Element Name: ");
scanf("%s", element.name);

You have to allocate memory for the object pointed by element.name for example by using malloc. Without proper allocation element.name is an invalid pointer.