Is initializing char array as 0 and '\0' the same?

Question

In C++, to initialize all 1D-array elements as zeroes:

int array[5] = {0};  //Set all elements to zeroes.

To initialize every element of an int 2D-array to zeroes, we can do this:

int matrix[5][5] = {0}; //Set all elements to zeroes.

So if I am not using functions like memset and just populating the 2D-array of char with "empty values". I probably can do this:

char matrix[ROWS][COLS] = {'\0'}; //Set all elements to '\0'

So my question is: Can I safely assume it is the same as writing it as char matrix[ROWS][COLS] = {0}; since the ASCII value of '\0' is 0 ?

I have tested the output, initializing it as \0 and 0 seems to be the same. But will it always work the same way in different OS or different compilers?

Some pages I have already visited:

What is the difference between NULL, '\0' and 0

The difference between 0 and '0' in array

PS: I am not asking difference of 0 and '0'. I am asking about 0 and '\0'.

Both of the questions you linked have answers that answer your question. — Baum mit Augen, Apr 30 '16 at 19:24
@BaummitAugen Hmm, that is probably true. Maybe I should delete this question? So just a confirmation, init with `0` and `\0` is the same right? — user3437460, Apr 30 '16 at 19:26
@BaummitAugen I am actually more concern whether I can use it interchangeably by initializing with `0` and `\0`. It should work the same regardless what OS or compiler I am using. Am I right? — user3437460, Apr 30 '16 at 19:30
@user3437460 Yes. IMO, '\0' provides more readability when dealing with `char` array but it could be used interchangeably. — Mukul Gupta, Apr 30 '16 at 19:37
`= {};` is better than all of the options listed so far, because it works for all types (well, all default-constructable ones) — M.M, May 01 '16 at 01:36
The linked duplicate doesn't have a good answer posted for C++ — M.M, May 01 '16 at 01:41
ASCII has nothing to do with it; `'\0'` means character code zero — M.M, May 01 '16 at 01:43
@M.M `The linked duplicate doesn't have a good answer posted for C++` Totally agree with you. Maybe you can vote to reopen this question. I will gladly accept your solution if you provide one. — user3437460, May 02 '16 at 06:34
someone posting a good answer on the other thread would probably be the better way to go — M.M, May 02 '16 at 10:41

Is initializing char array as 0 and '\0' the same?

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