C: Can't link head and tail in double linked list with external function [addressing issue] -

i made simplification of double linked list. double linked list structure has head , tail nodes.

there function create list , return it. in same function linkage between tail , head nodes. problem when return list(so go outside function), links gone or point nodes of list temporarily created in function. guess correct? if how going bypass problem?

here's code:

#include <stdio.h>  typedef struct node{        /*a node of list*/     int number;     struct node *next;     struct node *prev; } node;  typedef struct list{    /*the list structure holds head , tail*/     node head;     node tail; } list;  list createlist(){     list newlist;     newlist.head.prev=null;     newlist.head.next=&newlist.tail; /*first node points second*/     newlist.tail.prev=&newlist.head; /*second node points first*/     newlist.tail.next=null;     puts("--create list func--");     printf("head element address: %p\n", &newlist.head);     printf("tail element address: %p\n", &newlist.tail);     printf("head element points here: %p\n\n\n", newlist.head.next);     return newlist; }  int main(){     list numbers=createlist();     puts("--main func--");     printf("head element address: %p\n", &numbers.head);     printf("tail element address: %p\n", &numbers.tail);     printf("head element points here: %p\n", numbers.head.next);     return 0; } 

your guess correct; newlist goes out of scope when function ends. function returns copy of list object, pointer members still point @ original object.

you either need allocate list on heap , return pointer (remembering free memory @ point), or take pointer-to-list argument, , modify list caller owns.