Is it safe to use the argv pointer globally?

Question

Is it safe to use the argv pointer globally? Or is there a circumstance where it may become invalid?

i.e: Is this code safe?

char **largs; void function_1() {     printf("Argument 1: %s\r\n",largs[1]); } int main(int argc,char **argv) {     largs = argv;     function_1();     return 1; } 

Answer 1

Yes, it is safe to use argv globally; you can use it as you would use any char** in your program. The C99 standard even specifies this:

The parameters argc and argv and the strings pointed to by the argv array shall be modifiable by the program, and retain their last-stored values between program startup and program termination.

The C++ standard does not have a similar paragraph, but the same is implicit with no rule to the contrary.

Note that C++ and C are different languages and you should just choose one to ask your question about.