Question

#include <stdio.h>

int main ()
{
    char *ptr = "stackoverflow"

}

Is there any way to find the length of stackoverflow pointed by ptr, as sizeof ptr always gives 4

Answer 1

1. sizeof() returns the size required by the type. Since the type you pass to sizeof in this case is a pointer, it will return size of the pointer.

   If you need the size of the data pointed by a pointer you will have to remember it by storing it explicitly.

2. sizeof() works at compile time. so, sizeof(ptr) will return 4 or 8 bytes typically. Instead use strlen.