In C++ what is the difference (if any) between using char and char[1].

examples:

    struct SomeStruct
    {
       char x;
       char y[1];
    };


Do the same reasons follow for unsigned char?

Difference between char and char[1]

One can define a static array at compile time as follows:

    const std::size_t size = 5;    
    unsigned int list[size] = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 };


**Question 1** - Is it possible by using various kinds of metaprogramming techniques to assign these values &quot;programmatically&quot; at compile time?

**Question 2** - Assuming all the values in the array are to be the same barr a few, is it possible to selectively assign values at compile time in a programmatic manner?

eg:

    const std::size_t size = 7;        
    unsigned int list[size] = { 0, 0, 2, 3, 0, 0, 0 };

 1. Solutions using C++0x are welcome
 2. The array may be quite large, few
    hundred elements long
 3. The array for now will only consist of
    POD types
 4. It can also be assumed the size of
    the array will be known beforehand,
    in a static compile-time compliant
    manner.
 5. Solutions must be in C++ ***(no script, no macros, no pp
    or code generator based solutions pls)***


**UPDATE:** Georg Fritzsche&#39;s solution is amazing, needs a little work to get it compiling on msvc and intel compilers, but nonetheless a very interesting approach to the problem.


All Static Array Solutions on Gang of Coders

Total of 2 Static Array Solutions

Difference between char and char[1]

Programmatically create static arrays at compile time in C++