Initialization of array on heap

Question

How do i manually initiate values in array on heap? If the array is local variable (in stack), it can be done very elegant and easy way, like this:

int myArray[3] = {1,2,3};

Unfortunately, following code

int * myArray = new int[3];
myArray = {1,2,3};

outputs an error by compiling

error: expected primary-expression before ‘{’ token
error: expected `;' before ‘{’ token

Do i have to use cycle, or not-so-much-elegant way like this?

myArray[0] = 1;
myArray[1] = 2;
myArray[2] = 3;

Answer 1

This can be accomplished today with the following syntax:

int * myHeapArray = new int [3] {1, 2, 3};

Notice you have to match the size of the structure you're allocating with the size of the initializer-list.

Since I'm replying to a question posted years ago, it is worth mentioning that modern C++ discourages the use of new, delete and native (or naked) pointers. The use of handlers such as std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr are favored instead, since they automatically release the memory they own (check RAII idiom).

In this particular case, std::vector would provide all such features: heap-allocated data, use of initializer-list (like {1, 2, 3}), handlers and move semantics among other features.

For stack-allocated arrays you can consider std::array, should you need them.

Answer 2

This is interesting: Pushing an array into a vector

However, if that doesn't do it for you try the following:

#include <algorithm>
...


const int length = 32;

int stack_array[length] = { 0 ,32, 54, ... }
int* array = new int[length];

std::copy(stack_array, stack_array + length, &array[0]);