c++ - return a char function with random options and local variables -

i have created unit test harness test program. wanted able randomly test each run i'm not sure how go doing this. here think stuck on next, guidance appreciated.

int main (void) {   int testnumber = 1; //for testing   char carname[] = "";   double carcost = 0;    carname = carchosen (testnumber);   carcost = assesscost (carname); //assesscost takes in car name , checks cost of car (error checking cars can chosen)    return 0; } 

"testnumber" seeded time create different number's 1 - 15, in situation it's going "1" testing.

this next bit i'm having trouble with. within function there 15 diffrent car options , return 1 depending on randomly created number.

char carchosen (int randnum) {   char carone[] = "honda";   char cartwo[] = "ford";   if (randnum == 1)   {     return carone; //local variables, not going work...   }   else if (randnum == 2)   {     return cartwo; // again, these return's here better represent i'm trying create failing so..   } } 

i understand cannot return local variables, can instead?

this

void carchosen (int randnum, char * out) {   char carone[] = "honda";   char cartwo[] = "ford";   if (randnum == 1)   {     strcpy(out, carone);    }   else if (randnum == 2)   {      strcpy(out, cartwo);    } //.. handle other cases } 

call like

  char carname[max_len];   carchosen (testnumber, carname); 

also maybe better of using switch instead of nested if..else if have many conditions test.

i thought c looking @ code, if use c++, can return std::string objects function without issues.