Add a focused pointers and fixed arrays example
- Dominant language
- Rust
- Stars
- 53
- Forks
- 16
- Avg merge
- 4h 22m
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 46
Description
## Why
Pointers, address-of expressions, `deref`, fixed-size arrays, and pointer parameters are fundamental Wave features, but the current examples only show them as pieces of larger programs such as `struct_proto_semantics.wave`, `game.wave`, and the WebAssembly smoke modules.
A smaller example would make the supported pointer/array model easier to understand without requiring readers to extract it from unrelated code.
## Scope
Add a focused runnable example under `examples/` that demonstrates:
- taking the address of a variable with `&`;
- declaring and passing `ptr` values;
- reading and modifying a value through `deref`;
- declaring and indexing a fixed-size `array`;
- passing a pointer to the first array element to a helper function.
Keep the example within ordinary safe-to-run hosted code. Do not expand it into allocator, raw syscall, FFI, or ownership semantics.
## Completion criteria
- [ ] The example passes `wavec check` and `wavec run` on a supported hosted target.
- [ ] A pointer-based helper visibly updates caller-owned data.
- [ ] Fixed-array indexing and pointer access are both demonstrated.
- [ ] The code avoids undefined out-of-bounds or dangling-pointer behavior.
- [ ] The example is listed in the examples index or local README.
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start in examples/ by comparing struct_proto_semantics.wave, game.wave, and the WebAssembly smoke modules, then check the local examples index or README. Add a focused runnable Wave example and verify it with `wavec check` and `wavec run` on a supported hosted target. Done means the pointer, fixed-array, safe indexing, helper update, and examples listing criteria are all met.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- rust
- Domain
- compilers
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Estimated time
- 1-3 hours
- Activity status
- Active
- Clarity
- Clearly specified
- Newbie friendliness
- 82/100