c - Defining an array of a set size in header file

Question

I want to define a pointer to an character array of a set value in a header file. Essentially - I want to declare a chessboard in a header file.

Would something like this work, or should I be using #define? Thank you.

#ifndef myHeader
#define myHeader

typedef *char[8][8] Chessboard;

#endif

EDIT:

I have to admit I'm practicing for an upcoming test and this is just an old assignment (from one of the previous tests). After some thought and study on how header files behave, I've found that

char array[8][8]; 
char*** Chessboard = (char***) malloc (sizeof (char**)); 
*(Chessboard) = array; 

could work - however, I'm supposed to declare a type, and don't know how to do this.

To clarify - I want to define a type "Chessboard", that is a pointer to an 8x8 array.

Answer 1

I want to define a type "Chessboard", that is a pointer to an 8x8 array.

// .h
typedef char (*Chessboard_T)[8][8];
extern Chessboard_T Chessboard_Var;

// .c
static char board[8][8];
Chessboard_T Chessboard_Var = &board;

// Usage example
void foo() {
   (*Chessboard_Var)[0][4] = 'K';
}

Hiding pointers in typedefs is usually frown upon.

---

A more common solution to capture the state would employ Chessboard as a structure. Example:

// Chessboard.h
typedef struct {
  char board[8][8];
  unsigned move_count;
  int en_pass;
  int castle;
  int *history;
  // etc.
} Chessboard;

// Various functions that operate with a Chessboard
Chessboard *Chessboard_Create(void);
Chessboard_Destroy(Chessboard *cb);
Chessboard_This(..);  
Chessboard_That(..);
...