Can somebody explain use of VARCHAR in C program

Can somebody please give an explanation of VARCHAR in C programs.

i am reading an input file that is of fixed lengt. Several records are of fixed lenght and have spaces. I read that by using the VARCHAR you can avoid having to use a function to elimate white space.

But VARCHAR is not a C reserved word. How is it used. An exapmle follows

  int emp_number;
  char temp[20];
  VARCHAR emp_name[20];
  /* get values for input host variables */   printf("Employee number? ");
  gets(temp);
  emp_number = atoi(temp);
  printf("Employee name? ");
  gets(emp_name.arr);
  emp_name.len = strlen(emp_name.arr);

How does the last line fit in with use of the VARCHAR? Is it needed for its use?

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