Question

this:

char *buf = NULL;
scanf("%ms", &buf);

will get a dynamically allocated char buffer. I know this is limited to code compiled with Gcc (and specifically version 2.7 of glibc).

I am also aware that the “correct” and portable way is to just use malloc() (and friends) to get the memory.

I’m curious however, are there any other portable or semi-portable^* implementations out there for getting dynamically allocated memory? I find tricks and tips of memory allocation in C a hard topic to “Google”.

Note: This is not “required” for anything, so there are no limitations on answers.

_{* semi-portable meaning “if you compile the same way I do, this will work”}

Answer 1

POSIX has

ssize_t getline(char **lineptr, size_t *n, FILE *stream);

and

ssize_t getdelim(char **lineptr, size_t *n, int delim, FILE *stream);

which should qualify as semi-portable.