c - Can strings be used as an array index?

Question

Can a string be used as array index in C?

Ex: String Corresponding value "ONE" 1 "TWO" 2 "FIVE" 5 "TEN" 10

When a string in the above list is passed to the function, the function must return the corresponding value indicated above. Can this be achieved by declaring a constant array with string as index

int *x;
x["ONE"]  = 1;
x["TWO"]  = 2;
x["FIVE"] = 5;
x["TEN"]  = 5;

return x["string received by the function"];

The above logic does not work as expected; is there a workaround to implement the above logic in order to have a string-indexed array?

Answer 1

It might compile, but it won't work.

It's not entirely clear what you're trying to achieve. I think you want an associative array, in which case you should find a library implementation of one.

If you're looking for something more like an enumerated type, and you can rely on C89, look at something like:

enum cardsuit {
   CLUBS,
   DIAMONDS,
   HEARTS,
   SPADES
};

If you can't rely on C89, then you should try some typedef trickery.