title: A type for arbitrary memory in C
body: <p>This is in reference to this question</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/38951255/how-to-implement-the-c-malloc-realloc-functions-properly/38951308#38951308">How to implement the c malloc/realloc functions properly?</a></p>
  
  <p>where the accepted answer mentions that a <code>char</code> array can be used to model a pool of arbitrary memory.</p>
  
  <p>However one of the comments to that accepted answer states</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>A char array that doesn't have allocated storage duration can only be
    aliased by a character type. In other words it cannot and it should
    not be used as arbitrary memory</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Is this correct? If so, then what could be used? I'd like to avoid using <code>alloc</code> or any specific OS calls - so I'm symmetrical with that question.</p>