Parameter declaration [] and * (array)

Between formal parameters in a function definition, like:

void change (int *s)
{   
    s[0] = 42;
}

And another definition:

void change (int s[])
{   
    s[0] = 42;
}

They are the same I assume, as *(a+0) is the same as a[0].

Is there a reason to prefer one over the another? Please note, the preference pertains to cod开发者_如何学Cing style.

Yes, they are exactly the same. All function parameters declared as arrays are adjusted to the corresponding pointer type.

Personally, I prefer the former which actually makes it look like a pointer declaration which is what it is in both cases.

I prefer the second one because it is then clear that you intend to use s as an array. (even though it is a pointer technically)

I think it is just another subjective thing though.

There is one case where they can be different, in the current C language. C99 allows the following:

void change (int s[static 2])
{   
    s[0] = 42;
}

where the [static 2] imposes a constraint on the interface of the function that the pointer passed must be such that s[0] and s[1] access valid objects of type int. In particular, the interface does not permit NULL pointers.

Note that [static 1] is a convenient way to specify simply that the pointer must point to a valid object.