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In this example, the function func() incorrectly returns a pointer to a local stack variable.

char * func() {
   char a[10] ;
   /* ... Operate on a[0] */
   return &a[0];
}

Compiling with appropriate warning levels should generate a warning when a local stack variable is returned from a function.

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Correcting this example depends on the intent of the programmer. If the intent is to modify the value of a0 and have it available outside of func(), then a can be declared elsewhere and passed as an parameter to func().

void func(char a[]) {
   /* Operate on a[0] */
   return;
}

Risk Assessment

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