How can I declare a pointer with filled information in C++? -

 extern "c" {     typedef struct pair_s {         char *first;         char *second;     } pair;      typedef struct pairofpairs_s {         pair *first;         pair *second;     } pairofpairs; }  pair pairs[] = {     {"foo", "bar"}, //this fine     {"bar", "baz"} };   pairofpairs pops[] = {     {{"foo", "bar"}, {"bar", "baz"}}, //how can create equivalent of neatly     {&pairs[0], &pairs[1]} //this not considered neat (imagine trying read list of 30 of these) };   

how can achieve above style declaration semantics?

in c++11 write:

pairofpairs pops[] = {     { new pair{"a", "a"}, new pair{"b", "b"} },     { new pair{"c", "c"}, new pair{"d", "d"} },     // grouping braces optional }; 

do note implications of using free store: objects allocated there not destructed @ end of execution of program (like static objects are) or anytime else (without corresponding delete). not concern in hosted implementations if pair c struct , not manage resources (and expected program use memory until exits).

edit: if can't use c++11 features, can create helper function. example:

static pair* new_pair(const char* first, const char* second) {     pair* pair = new pair;     pair->first = first;     pair->second = second;     return pair; }