---
name: "sl_add"
section: "3"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/sl_add"
---

# sl\_add(3)

stringlist manipulation functions

## NAME

**stringlist**, **sl\_init**, **sl\_add**, **sl\_free**, **sl\_find** – stringlist manipulation functions

## LIBRARY

Standard C Library (libc, -lc)

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<stringlist.h\>**

*StringList* *\**\

**sl\_init**();

*int*\

**sl\_add**(*StringList \*sl*, *char \*item*);

*void*\

**sl\_free**(*StringList \*sl*, *int freeall*);

*char* *\**\

**sl\_find**(*StringList \*sl*, *const char \*item*);

## DESCRIPTION

The **stringlist** functions manipulate stringlists, which are lists of strings that extend automatically if necessary.

The *StringList* structure has the following definition:

```
typedef struct _stringlist {
	char	**sl_str;
	size_t	  sl_max;
	size_t	  sl_cur;
} StringList;
```

- *sl\_str*

  a pointer to the base of the array containing the list.

- *sl\_max*

  the size of *sl\_str*.

- *sl\_cur*

  the offset in *sl\_str* of the current element.

The following stringlist manipulation functions are available:

- **sl\_init**()

  Create a stringlist. Returns a pointer to a *StringList*, or NULL in case of failure.

- **sl\_free**()

  Releases memory occupied by *sl* and the *sl-\>sl\_str* array. If *freeall* is non-zero, then each of the items within *sl-\>sl\_str* is released as well.

- **sl\_add**()

  Add *item* to *sl-\>sl\_str* at *sl-\>sl\_cur*, extending the size of *sl-\>sl\_str*. Returns zero upon success, -1 upon failure.

- **sl\_find**()

  Find *item* in *sl*, returning NULL if it is not found.

## SEE ALSO

[free(3)](/free/3.md), [malloc(3)](/malloc/3.md)

## HISTORY

The **stringlist** functions appeared in FreeBSD 2.2.6 and NetBSD 1.3.