C Function to Convert float to byte array

Question

I'm trying to make a function that will accept a float variable and convert it into a byte array. I found a snippet of code that works, but would like to reuse it in a function if possible.

I'm also working with the Arduino environment, but I understand that it accepts most C language.

Currently works:

float_variable = 1.11;
byte bytes_array[4];

*((float *)bytes_array) = float_variable;

What can I change here to make this function work?

float float_test = 1.11;
byte bytes[4];

// Calling the function
float2Bytes(&bytes,float_test);

// Function
void float2Bytes(byte* bytes_temp[4],float float_variable){ 
     *(float*)bytes_temp = float_variable;  
}

I'm not so familiar with pointers and such, but I read that (float) is using casting or something?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

*EDIT: SOLVED

Here's my final function that works in Arduino for anyone who finds this. There are more efficient solutions in the answers below, however I think this is okay to understand.

Function: converts input float variable to byte array

void float2Bytes(float val,byte* bytes_array){
  // Create union of shared memory space
  union {
    float float_variable;
    byte temp_array[4];
  } u;
  // Overite bytes of union with float variable
  u.float_variable = val;
  // Assign bytes to input array
  memcpy(bytes_array, u.temp_array, 4);
}

Calling the function

float float_example = 1.11;
byte bytes[4];

float2Bytes(float_example,&bytes[0]);

Thanks for everyone's help, I've learnt so much about pointers and referencing in the past 20 minutes, Cheers Stack Overflow!

Answer 1

Easiest is to make a union:

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
  int ii;
  union {
    float a;
    unsigned char bytes[4];
  } thing;

  thing.a = 1.234;
  for (ii=0; ii<4; ii++) 
    printf ("byte %d is %02x\n", ii, thing.bytes[ii]);
  return 0;
}

Output:

byte 0 is b6
byte 1 is f3
byte 2 is 9d
byte 3 is 3f

Note - there is no guarantee about the byte order… it depends on your machine architecture.

To get your function to work, do this:

void float2Bytes(byte bytes_temp[4],float float_variable){ 
  union {
    float a;
    unsigned char bytes[4];
  } thing;
  thing.a = float_variable;
  memcpy(bytes_temp, thing.bytes, 4);
}

Or to really hack it:

void float2Bytes(byte bytes_temp[4],float float_variable){ 
  memcpy(bytes_temp, (unsigned char*) (&float_variable), 4);
}

Note - in either case I make sure to copy the data to the location given as the input parameter. This is crucial, as local variables will not exist after you return (although you could declare them static, but let's not teach you bad habits. What if the function gets called again…)