C : Array of strings - Can input only n-1 strings for an input size of n -

i have sort strings in lexicographical order using bubble sort technique without using library functions. have written following code working fine in sorting strings.

problem if give n input (say n = 4), can enter n-1 strings (only 3 strings). problem can solved running loops 0 n, isn't logical solution.

doing wrong here?

#include <stdio.h> #include <string.h> #include <malloc.h> void swap(int indx[], int j) {     int temp;     temp = indx[j];     indx[j] = indx[j+1];     indx[j+1] = temp; } void sort(char **str, int indx[], int n) {     int i, j, k;     for(i=0; i<n; i++)     {         for(j=0; j<n-i-1; j++)         {             k = 0;             while(str[j][k] != '\0')             {                 if((str[indx[j]][k]) > (str[indx[j+1]][k]))                 {                     swap(indx, j);                     break;                 }                 else if((str[indx[j]][k]) < (str[indx[j+1]][k]))                     break;                 else                     k++;             }         }     } } void display(char **str, int indx[], int n) {     int i;     printf("sorted strings : ");     for(i=0; i<n; i++)         printf("%s\n", str[indx[i]]); } int main(void) {     char **str;     int n, i, j, *indx;     printf("enter no. of strings : ");     scanf("%d", &n);     str = (char **) malloc (n * (sizeof(char *)));     indx = (int *) malloc (n * sizeof(int));     for(i=0; i<n; i++)         str[i] = (char *)malloc(10 * sizeof(char));     printf("enter strings : ");     for(i=0; i<n; i++)     {         gets(str[i]);         indx[i] = i;     }     sort(str, indx, n);     display(str, indx, n); } 

the problem use of scanf(). when scanf("%d", &n), scanf() function reads input until finds integer, , puts value n. however, when entered integer, didn't type '4', typed '4' , pressed enter. , newline still in input buffer. gets() function, on other hand, reads input and including first newline, , newline character discarded. when you're reading input strings, gets call gets() reads newline, , returns immediately. , then, first string enter read second call gets()...

incidentally, gets() function should never, ever, under circumstances, ever used real programs, because doesn't allow limit input. better use fgets(). fgets(str[i], buffersize-1, stdin).