How can I declare an array with a variable, but without using malloc() in C? -

so have create 2d array going used print histogram. know array going 52 elements wide, height of array going equal max + 1, different every time function in gets called. ideally, line accomplish following function:

char histplot[max+1][52] = ""; 

as writing code, however, learned c, or @ least compiler, not allow array declared without constant value. professor of class i'm writing code not clear on whether or not use malloc() assignment. assuming cannot using malloc(), there way can create array histplot[][] have height of max + 1?

edit: i've accepted there no real way accomplish i'm trying without using malloc() or similar function. did manage find solution doesn't involve functions or 2d array @ all, thank replied!

some systems provide alloca function. (however, not standard c.)

outside of that, there's no real way dynamically sized array.

i can offer following more or less silly workarounds:

• use calloc or realloc allocate memory (following letter of rule can't use malloc not spirit)
• ... or mmap (if platform has that)
• if doesn't have real array, use temporary file store data (access via fseek, fread, fwrite)
• if can use linked list instead, can build 1 of on stack recursive function calls