How to Pass a 3D Array to a Function in C?

A 3D array (or three-dimensional array) in C is a multi-dimensional array that contains multiple layers of two-dimensional arrays stacked on top of each other. It stores elements that can be accessed using three indices: the depth index, row index, and column index. In this article, we will learn how to pass a 3D array to a function in C.

Passing 3D Array as Parameter to a Function in C

We cannot directly pass a to a function just like we do . Instead, we must pass the 3D array to function as a pointer. When doing so, the array undergoes , losing information about its dimensions. Therefore, we must pass the dimensions of the array separately.

Syntax

functionType funcName(type (*arr)[cols][depth], int rows, int cols, int depth)

Here,

• funcName: It is the name of the function.
• arr: It is the pointer which points to the 3D array.
• rows: It represents the number of 2D arrays.
• cols: It represents the number of rows in each 2D array.
• depth: It represents the number of columns in each 2D array.

C program to pass a 3D array to a function

The following program illustrates how we can pass a 3D array to a function in C.

Elements of the 3D array:
10 20 30 
40 50 60 
70 80 90 

1 2 3 
4 5 6 
7 8 9 

190 200 210 
220 230 240 
250 260 270 

Time Complexity: O(1),  as the time complexity of passing is not dependent on array size.
Auxiliary Space: O(1)