gcc - Serious Memory Clash: Variables clashing in C -

    struct message {     char type;     double idnum;     char *time;     char *asset;     bool bs;     float price1;     int shares1;     float price2;     int shares2;         }; typedef struct message message; struct asset         {             obook *orderbook;             trade *tradebook; //will point latest trade             int qtytraded;             float valuetraded;             char* time;         }; typedef struct asset asset; int main(int argc, char*argv[])     {         message* newmessage;         asset* check;         //manipulation , initialization of check, holds proper values.          newmessage = parser("n,2376,01/02/2011 09:15:01.342,jpassociat futstk 24feb2011,b,84.05,2000,0,0",newmessage);     //  messageprocess(newmessage,assetmap);         printf("last trade address %p last trade time %s\n",check->tradebook,check->time);     }     message*  parser(char *message,message* new_message)     {         char a[9][256];         char* tmp =message;         bool inquote=0;         int counter=0;         int counter2=0;         new_message = (message*)malloc(sizeof(message));         while(*tmp!='\0')         {             switch(*tmp)             {                 case ',': if(!inquote)                        {                             a[counter][counter2]='\0';                         counter++;                         counter2=0;                         }                        break;                 case '"':                     inquote=!inquote;                     break;                 default:                     a[counter][counter2]=*tmp;                     counter2++;                     break;             }         tmp++;          }             a[counter][counter2]='\0';             new_message->type = *a[0];             new_message->time  = &a[2][11];             new_message->asset = a[3];             if(*a[4]=='s')             new_message->bs = 0;             else             new_message->bs = 1;             new_message->price1=atof(a[5]);             new_message->shares1=atol(a[6]);             new_message->price2=atof(a[7]);             new_message->shares2=atol(a[8]);             new_message->idnum = atoi(a[1]);     return(new_message);     } 

here there serious memory clash, in 2 variables of different scope. have investigated using gdb , seems address of new_message->time equalling address of check->time.

they both structures of different types trying resolve issue, because, when parser changes value of new_message->time manipulates contents of check->time

please suggest how solve problem. have lost(spent) around 10 hours , counting resolve issue, , tons of hair.

soham

edit structure def added

you're using address of stack allocated object initialize new_message->time = &a[2][11];