# VecGetArray

Returns a pointer to a contiguous array that contains this processor's portion of the vector data. For the standard PETSc vectors, VecGetArray() returns a pointer to the local data array and does not use any copies. If the underlying vector data is not stored in a contiquous array this routine will copy the data to a contiquous array and return a pointer to that. You MUST call VecRestoreArray() when you no longer need access to the array.

### Synopsis

    PetscErrorCode VecGetArray(Vec x,PetscScalar *a[])

Not Collective

### Input Parameter

x -the vector

### Output Parameter

a -location to put pointer to the array

### Fortran Note

This routine is used differently from Fortran 77

       Vec         x

       PetscScalar x_array(1)

       PetscOffset i_x

       PetscErrorCode ierr

          call VecGetArray(x,x_array,i_x,ierr)

      Access first local entry in vector with

         value = x_array(i_x + 1)

         ...... other code

          call VecRestoreArray(x,x_array,i_x,ierr)

For Fortran 90 see VecGetArrayF90()

See the Fortran chapter of the users manual and petsc/src/snes/examples/tutorials/ex5f.F for details.

### See Also

VecRestoreArray(), VecGetArrays(), VecGetArrayF90(), VecPlaceArray(), VecGetArray2d()

Level:beginner
Location:src/vec/interface/vector.c
Index of all Vec routines
Table of Contents for all manual pages
Index of all manual pages src/vec/examples/tutorials/ex3.c.html
src/vec/examples/tutorials/ex6.c.html
src/vec/examples/tutorials/ex9.c.html
src/vec/examples/tutorials/ex13.c.html
src/vec/examples/tutorials/ex4f.F.html
src/mat/examples/tutorials/ex4.c.html
src/ksp/examples/tutorials/ex10.c.html
src/ksp/examples/tutorials/ex11.c.html
src/ksp/examples/tutorials/ex27.c.html
src/ksp/examples/tutorials/ex29.c.html