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I am trying to write a function that prints out the elements in an array. However when I work with the arrays that are passed, I don't know how to iterate over the array.
void
print_array(int* b)
{
int sizeof_b = sizeof(b) / sizeof(b[0]);
int i;
for (i = 0; i < sizeof_b; i++)
{
printf("%d", b[i]);
}
}
What is the best way to do iterate over the passed array?
You need to also pass the size of the array to the function.
When you pass in the array to your function, you are really passing in the address of the first element in that array. So the pointer is only pointing to the first element once inside your function.
Since memory in the array is continuous though, you can still use pointer arithmetic such as (b+1) to point to the second element or equivalently b[1]
void print_array(int* b, int num_elements)
{
for (int i = 0; i < num_elements; i++)
{
printf("%d", b[i]);
}
}
This trick only works with arrays not pointers:
sizeof(b) / sizeof(b[0])
... and arrays are not the same as pointers.
Why don't you use function templates for this (C++)?
template<class T, int N> void f(T (&r)[N]){
}
int main(){
int buf[10];
f(buf);
}
EDIT 2:
The qn now appears to have C tag and the C++ tag is removed.
For C, you have to pass the length (number of elements)of the array.
For C++, you can pass the length, BUT, if you have access to C++0x, BETTER is to use std::array. See here and here. It carries the length, and provides check for out-of-bound if you access elements using the at() member function.
In C99, you can require that an array an array has at least n elements thusly:
void print_array(int b[static n]);
6.7.5.3.7: A declaration of a parameter as ‘‘array of type’’ shall be adjusted to ‘‘qualified pointer to
type’’, where the type qualifiers (if any) are those specified within the [ and ] of the
array type derivation. If the keyword static also appears within the [ and ] of the
array type derivation, then for each call to the function, the value of the corresponding
actual argument shall provide access to the first element of an array with at least as many
elements as specified by the size expression.
In GCC you can pass the size of an array implicitly like this:
void print_array(int n, int b[n]);
You could try this...
#include <cstdio>
void
print_array(int b[], size_t N)
{
for (int i = 0; i < N; ++i)
printf("%d ", b[i]);
printf("\n");
}
template <size_t N>
inline void
print_array(int (&b)[N])
{
// could have loop here, but inline forwarding to
// single function eliminates code bloat...
print_array(b, N);
}
int main()
{
int a[] = { 1, 2 };
int b[] = { };
int c[] = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 };
print_array(a);
// print_array(b);
print_array(c);
}
...interestingly b doesn't work...
array_size.cc: In function `int main()':
array_size.cc:19: error: no matching function for call to `print_array(int[0u])'
JoshD points out in comments below the issue re 0 sized arrays (a GCC extension), and the size inference above.
In c++ you can also use a some type of list class implemented as an array with a size method or as a struct with a size member(in c or c++).
Use variable to pass the size of array.
int sizeof_b = sizeof(b) / sizeof(b[0]); does nothing but getting the pre-declared array size, which is known, and you could have passed it as an argument; for instance, void print_array(int*b, int size). size could be the user-defined size too.
int sizeof_b = sizeof(b) / sizeof(b[0]); will cause redundant iteration when the number of elements is less than the pre-declared array-size.
The question has already some good answers, for example the second one. However there is a lack of explanation so I would like to extend the sample and explain it:
Using template and template parameters and in this case None-Type Template parameters makes it possible to get the size of a fixed array with any type.
Assume you have such a function template:
template<typename T, int S>
int getSizeOfArray(T (&arr)[S]) {
return S;
}
The template is clearly for any type(here T) and a fixed integer(S).
The function as you see takes a reference to an array of S objects of type T, as you know in C++ you cannot pass arrays to functions by value but by reference so the function has to take a reference.
Now if u use it like this:
int i_arr[] = { 3, 8, 90, -1 };
std::cout << "number f elements in Array: " << getSizeOfArray(i_arr) << std::endl;
The compiler will implicitly instantiate the template function and detect the arguments, so the S here is 4 which is returned and printed to output.
I have an array int arr[5] that is passed to a function fillarr(int arr[]):
int fillarr(int arr[])
{
for(...);
return arr;
}
How can I return that array?
How will I use it, say I returned a pointer how am I going to access it?
In this case, your array variable arr can actually also be treated as a pointer to the beginning of your array's block in memory, by an implicit conversion. This syntax that you're using:
int fillarr(int arr[])
Is kind of just syntactic sugar. You could really replace it with this and it would still work:
int fillarr(int* arr)
So in the same sense, what you want to return from your function is actually a pointer to the first element in the array:
int* fillarr(int arr[])
And you'll still be able to use it just like you would a normal array:
int main()
{
int y[10];
int *a = fillarr(y);
cout << a[0] << endl;
}
C++ functions can't return C-style arrays by value. The closest thing is to return a pointer. Furthermore, an array type in the argument list is simply converted to a pointer.
int *fillarr( int arr[] ) { // arr "decays" to type int *
return arr;
}
You can improve it by using an array references for the argument and return, which prevents the decay:
int ( &fillarr( int (&arr)[5] ) )[5] { // no decay; argument must be size 5
return arr;
}
With Boost or C++11, pass-by-reference is only optional and the syntax is less mind-bending:
array< int, 5 > &fillarr( array< int, 5 > &arr ) {
return arr; // "array" being boost::array or std::array
}
The array template simply generates a struct containing a C-style array, so you can apply object-oriented semantics yet retain the array's original simplicity.
In C++11, you can return std::array.
#include <array>
using namespace std;
array<int, 5> fillarr(int arr[])
{
array<int, 5> arr2;
for(int i=0; i<5; ++i) {
arr2[i]=arr[i]*2;
}
return arr2;
}
$8.3.5/8 states-
"Functions shall not have a return type of type array or function, although they may have a return type of type pointer or reference to such things. There shall be no arrays of functions, although there can be arrays of pointers to functions."
int (&fn1(int (&arr)[5]))[5]{ // declare fn1 as returning refernce to array
return arr;
}
int *fn2(int arr[]){ // declare fn2 as returning pointer to array
return arr;
}
int main(){
int buf[5];
fn1(buf);
fn2(buf);
}
the answer may depend a bit on how you plan to use that function. For the simplest answer, lets decide that instead of an array, what you really want is a vector. Vectors are nice because the look for all the world like boring, ordinary values you can store in regular pointers. We'll look at other options and why you want them afterwards:
std::vector<int> fillarr( std::vector<int> arr ) {
// do something
return arr;
}
This will do exactly what you expect it to do. The upside is that std::vector takes care of making sure everything is handled cleanly. the downside is that this copies a very large amount of data, if your array is large. In fact it copies every element of the array twice. first it copies the vector so that the function can use it as a parameter. then it copies it again to return it to the caller. If you can handle managing the vector yourself, you can do things quite a bit more easily. (it may copy it a third time if the caller needs to store it in a variable of some sort to do more calculation)
It looks like what you're really trying to do is just populate a collection. if you don't have a specific reason to return a new instance of a collection, then don't. we can do it like this
void fillarr(std::vector<int> & arr) {
// modify arr
// don't return anything
}
this way you get a reference to the array passed to the function, not a private copy of it. any changes you make to the parameter are seen by the caller. You could return a reference to it if you want, but that's not really a great idea, since it sort of implies that you're getting something different from what you passed.
If you really do need a new instance of the collection, but want to avoid having it on the stack (and all the copying that entails), you need to create some kind of contract for how that instance is handled. the easiest way to do that is to use a smart pointer, which keeps the referenced instance around as long as anyone is holding onto it. It goes away cleanly if it goes out of scope. That would look like this.
std::auto_ptr<std::vector<int> > fillarr( const std::vector<int> & arr) {
std::auto_ptr<std::vector<int> > myArr(new std::vector<int>);
// do stuff with arr and *myArr
return myArr;
}
For the most part, using *myArr works identically to using a plain vanilla vector. This example also modifies the parameter list by adding the const keyword. Now you get a reference without copying it, but you can't modify it, so the caller knows it'll be the same as before the function got to it.
All of this is swell, but idiomatic c++ rarely works with collections as a whole. More normally, you will be using iterators over those collections. that would look something more like this
template <class Iterator>
Iterator fillarr(Iterator arrStart, Iterator arrEnd) {
Iterator arrIter = arrStart;
for(;arrIter <= arrEnd; arrIter++)
;// do something
return arrStart;
}
Using it looks a bit odd if you're not used to seeing this style.
vector<int> arr;
vector<int>::iterator foo = fillarr(arr.begin(), arr.end());
foo now 'points to' the beginning of the modified arr.
What's really nice about this is that it works equally well on vector as on plain C arrays and many other types of collection, for example
int arr[100];
int *foo = fillarr(arr, arr+100);
Which now looks an awful lot like the plain pointer examples given elsewhere in this question.
This:
int fillarr(int arr[])
is actually treated the same as:
int fillarr(int *arr)
Now if you really want to return an array you can change that line to
int * fillarr(int arr[]){
// do something to arr
return arr;
}
It's not really returning an array. you're returning a pointer to the start of the
array address.
But remember when you pass in the array, you're only passing in a pointer.
So when you modify the array data, you're actually modifying the data that the
pointer is pointing at. Therefore before you passed in the array, you must realise
that you already have on the outside the modified result.
e.g.
int fillarr(int arr[]){
array[0] = 10;
array[1] = 5;
}
int main(int argc, char* argv[]){
int arr[] = { 1,2,3,4,5 };
// arr[0] == 1
// arr[1] == 2 etc
int result = fillarr(arr);
// arr[0] == 10
// arr[1] == 5
return 0;
}
I suggest you might want to consider putting a length into your fillarr function like
this.
int * fillarr(int arr[], int length)
That way you can use length to fill the array to it's length no matter what it is.
To actually use it properly. Do something like this:
int * fillarr(int arr[], int length){
for (int i = 0; i < length; ++i){
// arr[i] = ? // do what you want to do here
}
return arr;
}
// then where you want to use it.
int arr[5];
int *arr2;
arr2 = fillarr(arr, 5);
// at this point, arr & arr2 are basically the same, just slightly
// different types. You can cast arr to a (char*) and it'll be the same.
If all you're wanting to do is set the array to some default values, consider using
the built in memset function.
something like:
memset((int*)&arr, 5, sizeof(int));
While I'm on the topic though. You say you're using C++. Have a look at using stl vectors. Your code is likely to be more robust.
There are lots of tutorials. Here is one that gives you an idea of how to use them.
http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/LinuxTutorialC++STL.html
This is a fairly old question, but I'm going to put in my 2 cents as there are a lot of answers, but none showing all possible methods in a clear and concise manner (not sure about the concise bit, as this got a bit out of hand. TL;DR 😉).
I'm assuming that the OP wanted to return the array that was passed in without copying as some means of directly passing this to the caller to be passed to another function to make the code look prettier.
However, to use an array like this is to let it decay into a pointer and have the compiler treat it like an array. This can result in subtle bugs if you pass in an array like, with the function expecting that it will have 5 elements, but your caller actually passes in some other number.
There a few ways you can handle this better. Pass in a std::vector or std::array (not sure if std::array was around in 2010 when the question was asked). You can then pass the object as a reference without any copying/moving of the object.
std::array<int, 5>& fillarr(std::array<int, 5>& arr)
{
// (before c++11)
for(auto it = arr.begin(); it != arr.end(); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
// Note the following are for c++11 and higher. They will work for all
// the other examples below except for the stuff after the Edit.
// (c++11 and up)
for(auto it = std::begin(arr); it != std::end(arr); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
// range for loop (c++11 and up)
for(auto& element : arr)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
std::vector<int>& fillarr(std::vector<int>& arr)
{
for(auto it = arr.begin(); it != arr.end(); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
However, if you insist on playing with C arrays, then use a template which will keep the information of how many items in the array.
template <size_t N>
int(&fillarr(int(&arr)[N]))[N]
{
// N is easier and cleaner than specifying sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0])
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + N; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Except, that looks butt ugly, and super hard to read. I now use something to help with that which wasn't around in 2010, which I also use for function pointers:
template <typename T>
using type_t = T;
template <size_t N>
type_t<int(&)[N]> fillarr(type_t<int(&)[N]> arr)
{
// N is easier and cleaner than specifying sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0])
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + N; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
This moves the type where one would expect it to be, making this far more readable. Of course, using a template is superfluous if you are not going to use anything but 5 elements, so you can of course hard code it:
type_t<int(&)[5]> fillarr(type_t<int(&)[5]> arr)
{
// Prefer using the compiler to figure out how many elements there are
// as it reduces the number of locations where you have to change if needed.
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
As I said, my type_t<> trick wouldn't have worked at the time this question was asked. The best you could have hoped for back then was to use a type in a struct:
template<typename T>
struct type
{
typedef T type;
};
typename type<int(&)[5]>::type fillarr(typename type<int(&)[5]>::type arr)
{
// Prefer using the compiler to figure out how many elements there are
// as it reduces the number of locations where you have to change if needed.
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Which starts to look pretty ugly again, but at least is still more readable, though the typename may have been optional back then depending on the compiler, resulting in:
type<int(&)[5]>::type fillarr(type<int(&)[5]>::type arr)
{
// Prefer using the compiler to figure out how many elements there are
// as it reduces the number of locations where you have to change if needed.
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
And then of course you could have specified a specific type, rather than using my helper.
typedef int(&array5)[5];
array5 fillarr(array5 arr)
{
// Prefer using the compiler to figure out how many elements there are
// as it reduces the number of locations where you have to change if needed.
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Back then, the free functions std::begin() and std::end() didn't exist, though could have been easily implemented. This would have allowed iterating over the array in a safer manner as they make sense on a C array, but not a pointer.
As for accessing the array, you could either pass it to another function that takes the same parameter type, or make an alias to it (which wouldn't make much sense as you already have the original in that scope). Accessing a array reference is just like accessing the original array.
void other_function(type_t<int(&)[5]> x) { /* do something else */ }
void fn()
{
int array[5];
other_function(fillarr(array));
}
or
void fn()
{
int array[5];
auto& array2 = fillarr(array); // alias. But why bother.
int forth_entry = array[4];
int forth_entry2 = array2[4]; // same value as forth_entry
}
To summarize, it is best to not allow an array decay into a pointer if you intend to iterate over it. It is just a bad idea as it keeps the compiler from protecting you from shooting yourself in the foot and makes your code harder to read. Always try and help the compiler help you by keeping the types as long as possible unless you have a very good reason not to do so.
Edit
Oh, and for completeness, you can allow it to degrade to a pointer, but this decouples the array from the number of elements it holds. This is done a lot in C/C++ and is usually mitigated by passing the number of elements in the array. However, the compiler can't help you if you make a mistake and pass in the wrong value to the number of elements.
// separate size value
int* fillarr(int* arr, size_t size)
{
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + size; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Instead of passing the size, you can pass the end pointer, which will point to one past the end of your array. This is useful as it makes for something that is closer to the std algorithms, which take a begin and and end pointer, but what you return is now only something that you must remember.
// separate end pointer
int* fillarr(int* arr, int* end)
{
for(int* it = arr; it != end; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Alternatively, you can document that this function will only take 5 elements and hope that the user of your function doesn't do anything stupid.
// I document that this function will ONLY take 5 elements and
// return the same array of 5 elements. If you pass in anything
// else, may nazal demons exit thine nose!
int* fillarr(int* arr)
{
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + 5; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Note that the return value has lost it's original type and is degraded to a pointer. Because of this, you are now on your own to ensure that you are not going to overrun the array.
You could pass a std::pair<int*, int*>, which you can use for begin and end and pass that around, but then it really stops looking like an array.
std::pair<int*, int*> fillarr(std::pair<int*, int*> arr)
{
for(int* it = arr.first; it != arr.second; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr; // if you change arr, then return the original arr value.
}
void fn()
{
int array[5];
auto array2 = fillarr(std::make_pair(&array[0], &array[5]));
// Can be done, but you have the original array in scope, so why bother.
int fourth_element = array2.first[4];
}
or
void other_function(std::pair<int*, int*> array)
{
// Can be done, but you have the original array in scope, so why bother.
int fourth_element = array2.first[4];
}
void fn()
{
int array[5];
other_function(fillarr(std::make_pair(&array[0], &array[5])));
}
Funny enough, this is very similar to how std::initializer_list work (c++11), but they don't work in this context.
to return an array from a function , let us define that array in a structure;
So it looks something like this
struct Marks{
int list[5];
}
Now let us create variables of the type structure.
typedef struct Marks marks;
marks marks_list;
We can pass array to a function in the following way and assign value to it:
void setMarks(int marks_array[]){
for(int i=0;i<sizeof(marks_array)/sizeof(int);i++)
marks_list.list[i]=marks_array[i];
}
We can also return the array. To return the array , the return type of the function should be of structure type ie marks. This is because in reality we are passing the structure that contains the array. So the final code may look like this.
marks getMarks(){
return marks_list;
}
the Simplest way to do this ,is to return it by reference , even if you don't write
the '&' symbol , it is automatically returned by reference
void fillarr(int arr[5])
{
for(...);
}
int *fillarr(int arr[])
You can still use the result like
int *returned_array = fillarr(some_other_array);
if(returned_array[0] == 3)
do_important_cool_stuff();
As above mentioned paths are correct. But i think if we just return a local array variable of a function sometimes it returns garbage values as its elements.
in-order to avoid that i had to create the array dynamically and proceed. Which is something like this.
int* func()
{
int* Arr = new int[100];
return Arr;
}
int main()
{
int* ArrResult = func();
cout << ArrResult[0] << " " << ArrResult[1] << endl;
return 0;
}
Source: https://www.tutorialspoint.com/cplusplus/cpp_return_arrays_from_functions.htm
C++ does not allow to return an entire array as an argument to a function. However, you can return a pointer to an array by specifying the array's name without an index.
If you want to return a single-dimension array from a function, you would have to declare a function returning a pointer as in the following example:
int * myFunction() {
.
.
.
}
C++ does not advocate to return the address of a local variable to outside of the function so you would have to define the local variable as static variable.
Applying these rules on the current question, we can write the program as follows:
# include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int * fillarr( );
int main ()
{
int *p;
p = fillarr();
for ( int i = 0; i < 5; i++ )
cout << "p[" << i << "] : "<< *(p + i) << endl;
return 0;
}
int * fillarr( )
{
static int arr[5];
for (int i = 0; i < 5; ++i)
arr[i] = i;
return arr;
}
The Output will be:
p[0]=0
p[1]=1
p[2]=2
p[3]=3
p[4]=4
template<typename T, size_t N>
using ARR_REF = T (&)[N];
template <typename T, size_t N>
ARR_REF<T,N> ArraySizeHelper(ARR_REF<T,N> arr);
#define arraysize(arr) sizeof(ArraySizeHelper(arr))
and what about:
int (*func())
{
int *f = new int[10] {1,2,3};
return f;
}
int fa[10] = { 0 };
auto func2() -> int (*) [10]
{
return &fa;
}
Actually when you pass an array inside a function, the pointer to the original array is passed in the function parameter and thus the changes made to the array inside that function is actually made on the original array.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int* func(int ar[])
{
for(int i=0;i<100;i++)
ar[i]=i;
int *ptr=ar;
return ptr;
}
int main() {
int *p;
int y[100]={0};
p=func(y);
for(int i=0;i<100;i++)
cout<<i<<" : "<<y[i]<<'\n';
}
Run it and you will see the changes
And why don't "return" the array as a parameter?
fillarr(int source[], size_t dimSource, int dest[], size_t dimDest)
{
if (dimSource <= dimDest)
{
for (size_t i = 0; i < dimSource; i++)
{
//some stuff...
}
}
else
{
//some stuff..
}
}
or..in a simpler way (but you have to know the dimensions...):
fillarr(int source[], int dest[])
{
//...
}
A simple and elaborate example, so that I can refer here if I forget the concept and need help.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int *ReturnArray(int arr[], int size)
{
static int MinMax[2] = {0, 0}; // must use static, else address would be deleted after the return is reached
MinMax[0] = arr[0];
MinMax[1] = arr[size - 1];
return MinMax;
}
int main()
{
int arr[] = {1, 2, 3};
int size = sizeof(arr) / sizeof(*arr);
int *ans; // pointer to hold returned array
ans = ReturnArray(arr, size); // only pointer can receive the return, not an array
cout << "Min: " << ans[0] << " Max: " << ans[1];
return 0;
}
Here's a full example of this kind of problem to solve
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
int* solve(int brr[],int n)
{
sort(brr,brr+n);
return brr;
}
int main()
{
int n;
cin>>n;
int arr[n];
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
{
cin>>arr[i];
}
int *a=solve(arr,n);
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
{
cout<<a[i]<<endl;
}
return 0;
}
i used static array so that while returning array it should not throw error as you are returning address of local variable...
so now you can send any locally created variable from function by making it as static...as it works as global variable....
#include<iostream>
using namespace std;
char *func(int n)
{
// char a[26]; /*if we use this then an error will occur because you are
// returning address of a local variable*/
static char a[26];
char temp='A';
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
{
a[i]=temp;temp++;
}
return a;
}
int main()
{
int n=26;
char *p=func(n);
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
cout<<*(p+i)<<" ";
//or you can also print like this
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
cout<<p[i]<<" ";
}
Just define a type[ ] as return value, like:
private string[] functionReturnValueArray(string one, string two)
{
string[] x = {one, two};
x[0] = "a";
x[1] = "b";
return x;
}
.
.
.
function call:
string[] y;
y = functionReturnValueArray(stringOne, stringTwo)
This question already has answers here:
When a function has a specific-size array parameter, why is it replaced with a pointer?
(3 answers)
Closed 7 years ago.
I am aware that an array can be passed to a function in quite a few ways.
#include <iostream>
#include <utility>
using namespace std;
pair<int, int> problem1(int a[]);
int main()
{
int a[] = { 10, 7, 3, 5, 8, 2, 9 };
pair<int, int> p = problem1(a);
cout << "Max =" << p.first << endl;
cout << "Min =" << p.second << endl;
getchar();
return 0;
}
pair<int,int> problem1(int a[])
{
int max = a[0], min = a[0], n = sizeof(a) / sizeof(int);
for (int i = 1; i < n; i++)
{
if (a[i]>max)
{
max = a[i];
}
if (a[i] < min)
{
min = a[i];
}
}
return make_pair(max,min);
}
My code above passes only the first element while it should be passing an array (or technically, a pointer to the array) and hence, the output is 10, 10 for both max and min (i.e. a[0] only).
What am I doing wrong, I guess this is the correct way.
The contents of the array are being passed to the function. The problem is:
n = sizeof(a) / sizeof(int)
Does not give you the size of the array. Once you pass an array to a function you can't get its size again.
Since you aren't using a dynamic array you can use a std::array which does remember its size.
You could also use:
template <int N>
void problem1(int (&a) [N])
{
int size = N;
//...
}
No, you simply cannot pass an array as a parameter in C or C++, at least not directly.
In this declaration:
pair<int, int> problem1(int a[]);
even though a appears to be defined as an array, the declaration is "adjusted" to a pointer to the element type, so the above really means:
pair<int, int> problem1(int* a);
Also, an expression of array type is, in most contexts, implicitly converted to a pointer to the array's initial element. (Exceptions include an array as the operand of sizeof or unary &). So in a call to the above function:
int arr[10];
problem1(arr);
the array expression arr is equivalent to &arr[0], and that address (pointer value) is what's passed to the function.
Of course you can write code that does the equivalent of passing an array. You can make the array a member of a structure (but then it has to be of fixed length). Or you can pass a pointer to the initial element and pass a separate parameter containing the actual length of the array object.
Or you can use one of the C++ standard library classes that implement array-like data structures; then the length can be taken directly from the parameter.
I highly recommend reading section 6 of the comp.lang.c FAQ, which covers arrays and pointers. It's applicable to C++ as well (though it doesn't mention the C++ standard library).
In C++ language a function parameter declared as int a[] is immediately interpreted as and is equivalent to int *a parameter. Which means that you are not passing an array to your function. You are passing a pointer to the first element of an array.
Trying to apply the sizeof(a) / sizeof(int) technique to a pointer is useless. It cannot possibly produce the size of the argument arraay.
One alternative that hasn't been mentioned is writing your code as a template, and passing the array by reference so the template can deduce the size of the array:
template <class T, size_t n>
pair<T, T> problem1(T(&a)[n]) {
T max = a[0], min = a[0];
for (size_t i = 1; i < n; i++) {
if (a[i]>max) {
max = a[i];
}
if (a[i] < min) {
min = a[i];
}
}
return make_pair(max, min);
}
Note, however, that this will only work if you pass a real array, not a pointer. For example, code like this:
int *b = new int[10];
for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
b[i] = rand();
auto result = problem1(b);
...won't compile at all (because we've defined problem1 to receive a reference to an array, and b is a pointer, not an array).
I have the following code:
void getPossibilities(int *rating[200][3]){
// do something
}
int main ()
{
int rating[200][3];
getPossibilities(&rating);
}
this throws following error message:
error: cannot convert int ()[200][3] to int ()[3] for argument 1 to void getPossibilities(int (*)[3])
The function signature should be this:
void getPossibilities(int (*rating)[3]);
and pass argument as:
getPossibilities(rating);
The variable rating is a two dimentional array of form T[M][N] which can decay into a type which is of form T(*)[N]. So I think that is all you want.
As in the above solution the array decays, losing the size of one dimension (in the function you only know N reliably, you just loss M due to the array-decay), so you've to change the signature of the function to avoid decaying of the array:
void getPossibilities(int (&rating)[200][3]) //note : &, 200, 3
{
//your code
}
//pass argument as before
getPossibilities(rating); //same as above
Better yet is to use template as:
template<size_t M, size_t N>
void getPossibilities(int (&rating)[M][N])
{
//you can use M and N here
//for example
for(size_t i = 0 ; i < M ; ++i)
{
for(size_t j = 0 ; j < N ; ++j)
{
//use rating[i][j]
}
}
}
To use this function, you've to pass the argument as before:
getPossibilities(rating); //same as before!
When passing an array of N-dimensions to a function, the 0th dimension is always ignored. That's why a[N] decays to *p. In the same way, a[N][M] decays to (*p)[M].
Here, (*p)[M] is a pointer to an array of M elements.
int a1[N][M], a2[M];
int (*p)[M];
p = a1; // array a1[N][M] decays to a pointer
p = &a2; // p is a pointer to int[M]
So your function signature should be:
void getPossibilities(int (*rating)[3]);
Now since you are using, C++, it's worth taking advantage of its facility where you can pass an array by reference. So preferred way is:
void getPossibilities(int (&rating)[200][3]);
There is a difference between int (*x)[200][3] and int *x[200][3]
I have an array int arr[5] that is passed to a function fillarr(int arr[]):
int fillarr(int arr[])
{
for(...);
return arr;
}
How can I return that array?
How will I use it, say I returned a pointer how am I going to access it?
In this case, your array variable arr can actually also be treated as a pointer to the beginning of your array's block in memory, by an implicit conversion. This syntax that you're using:
int fillarr(int arr[])
Is kind of just syntactic sugar. You could really replace it with this and it would still work:
int fillarr(int* arr)
So in the same sense, what you want to return from your function is actually a pointer to the first element in the array:
int* fillarr(int arr[])
And you'll still be able to use it just like you would a normal array:
int main()
{
int y[10];
int *a = fillarr(y);
cout << a[0] << endl;
}
C++ functions can't return C-style arrays by value. The closest thing is to return a pointer. Furthermore, an array type in the argument list is simply converted to a pointer.
int *fillarr( int arr[] ) { // arr "decays" to type int *
return arr;
}
You can improve it by using an array references for the argument and return, which prevents the decay:
int ( &fillarr( int (&arr)[5] ) )[5] { // no decay; argument must be size 5
return arr;
}
With Boost or C++11, pass-by-reference is only optional and the syntax is less mind-bending:
array< int, 5 > &fillarr( array< int, 5 > &arr ) {
return arr; // "array" being boost::array or std::array
}
The array template simply generates a struct containing a C-style array, so you can apply object-oriented semantics yet retain the array's original simplicity.
In C++11, you can return std::array.
#include <array>
using namespace std;
array<int, 5> fillarr(int arr[])
{
array<int, 5> arr2;
for(int i=0; i<5; ++i) {
arr2[i]=arr[i]*2;
}
return arr2;
}
$8.3.5/8 states-
"Functions shall not have a return type of type array or function, although they may have a return type of type pointer or reference to such things. There shall be no arrays of functions, although there can be arrays of pointers to functions."
int (&fn1(int (&arr)[5]))[5]{ // declare fn1 as returning refernce to array
return arr;
}
int *fn2(int arr[]){ // declare fn2 as returning pointer to array
return arr;
}
int main(){
int buf[5];
fn1(buf);
fn2(buf);
}
the answer may depend a bit on how you plan to use that function. For the simplest answer, lets decide that instead of an array, what you really want is a vector. Vectors are nice because the look for all the world like boring, ordinary values you can store in regular pointers. We'll look at other options and why you want them afterwards:
std::vector<int> fillarr( std::vector<int> arr ) {
// do something
return arr;
}
This will do exactly what you expect it to do. The upside is that std::vector takes care of making sure everything is handled cleanly. the downside is that this copies a very large amount of data, if your array is large. In fact it copies every element of the array twice. first it copies the vector so that the function can use it as a parameter. then it copies it again to return it to the caller. If you can handle managing the vector yourself, you can do things quite a bit more easily. (it may copy it a third time if the caller needs to store it in a variable of some sort to do more calculation)
It looks like what you're really trying to do is just populate a collection. if you don't have a specific reason to return a new instance of a collection, then don't. we can do it like this
void fillarr(std::vector<int> & arr) {
// modify arr
// don't return anything
}
this way you get a reference to the array passed to the function, not a private copy of it. any changes you make to the parameter are seen by the caller. You could return a reference to it if you want, but that's not really a great idea, since it sort of implies that you're getting something different from what you passed.
If you really do need a new instance of the collection, but want to avoid having it on the stack (and all the copying that entails), you need to create some kind of contract for how that instance is handled. the easiest way to do that is to use a smart pointer, which keeps the referenced instance around as long as anyone is holding onto it. It goes away cleanly if it goes out of scope. That would look like this.
std::auto_ptr<std::vector<int> > fillarr( const std::vector<int> & arr) {
std::auto_ptr<std::vector<int> > myArr(new std::vector<int>);
// do stuff with arr and *myArr
return myArr;
}
For the most part, using *myArr works identically to using a plain vanilla vector. This example also modifies the parameter list by adding the const keyword. Now you get a reference without copying it, but you can't modify it, so the caller knows it'll be the same as before the function got to it.
All of this is swell, but idiomatic c++ rarely works with collections as a whole. More normally, you will be using iterators over those collections. that would look something more like this
template <class Iterator>
Iterator fillarr(Iterator arrStart, Iterator arrEnd) {
Iterator arrIter = arrStart;
for(;arrIter <= arrEnd; arrIter++)
;// do something
return arrStart;
}
Using it looks a bit odd if you're not used to seeing this style.
vector<int> arr;
vector<int>::iterator foo = fillarr(arr.begin(), arr.end());
foo now 'points to' the beginning of the modified arr.
What's really nice about this is that it works equally well on vector as on plain C arrays and many other types of collection, for example
int arr[100];
int *foo = fillarr(arr, arr+100);
Which now looks an awful lot like the plain pointer examples given elsewhere in this question.
This:
int fillarr(int arr[])
is actually treated the same as:
int fillarr(int *arr)
Now if you really want to return an array you can change that line to
int * fillarr(int arr[]){
// do something to arr
return arr;
}
It's not really returning an array. you're returning a pointer to the start of the
array address.
But remember when you pass in the array, you're only passing in a pointer.
So when you modify the array data, you're actually modifying the data that the
pointer is pointing at. Therefore before you passed in the array, you must realise
that you already have on the outside the modified result.
e.g.
int fillarr(int arr[]){
array[0] = 10;
array[1] = 5;
}
int main(int argc, char* argv[]){
int arr[] = { 1,2,3,4,5 };
// arr[0] == 1
// arr[1] == 2 etc
int result = fillarr(arr);
// arr[0] == 10
// arr[1] == 5
return 0;
}
I suggest you might want to consider putting a length into your fillarr function like
this.
int * fillarr(int arr[], int length)
That way you can use length to fill the array to it's length no matter what it is.
To actually use it properly. Do something like this:
int * fillarr(int arr[], int length){
for (int i = 0; i < length; ++i){
// arr[i] = ? // do what you want to do here
}
return arr;
}
// then where you want to use it.
int arr[5];
int *arr2;
arr2 = fillarr(arr, 5);
// at this point, arr & arr2 are basically the same, just slightly
// different types. You can cast arr to a (char*) and it'll be the same.
If all you're wanting to do is set the array to some default values, consider using
the built in memset function.
something like:
memset((int*)&arr, 5, sizeof(int));
While I'm on the topic though. You say you're using C++. Have a look at using stl vectors. Your code is likely to be more robust.
There are lots of tutorials. Here is one that gives you an idea of how to use them.
http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/LinuxTutorialC++STL.html
This is a fairly old question, but I'm going to put in my 2 cents as there are a lot of answers, but none showing all possible methods in a clear and concise manner (not sure about the concise bit, as this got a bit out of hand. TL;DR 😉).
I'm assuming that the OP wanted to return the array that was passed in without copying as some means of directly passing this to the caller to be passed to another function to make the code look prettier.
However, to use an array like this is to let it decay into a pointer and have the compiler treat it like an array. This can result in subtle bugs if you pass in an array like, with the function expecting that it will have 5 elements, but your caller actually passes in some other number.
There a few ways you can handle this better. Pass in a std::vector or std::array (not sure if std::array was around in 2010 when the question was asked). You can then pass the object as a reference without any copying/moving of the object.
std::array<int, 5>& fillarr(std::array<int, 5>& arr)
{
// (before c++11)
for(auto it = arr.begin(); it != arr.end(); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
// Note the following are for c++11 and higher. They will work for all
// the other examples below except for the stuff after the Edit.
// (c++11 and up)
for(auto it = std::begin(arr); it != std::end(arr); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
// range for loop (c++11 and up)
for(auto& element : arr)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
std::vector<int>& fillarr(std::vector<int>& arr)
{
for(auto it = arr.begin(); it != arr.end(); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
However, if you insist on playing with C arrays, then use a template which will keep the information of how many items in the array.
template <size_t N>
int(&fillarr(int(&arr)[N]))[N]
{
// N is easier and cleaner than specifying sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0])
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + N; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Except, that looks butt ugly, and super hard to read. I now use something to help with that which wasn't around in 2010, which I also use for function pointers:
template <typename T>
using type_t = T;
template <size_t N>
type_t<int(&)[N]> fillarr(type_t<int(&)[N]> arr)
{
// N is easier and cleaner than specifying sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0])
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + N; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
This moves the type where one would expect it to be, making this far more readable. Of course, using a template is superfluous if you are not going to use anything but 5 elements, so you can of course hard code it:
type_t<int(&)[5]> fillarr(type_t<int(&)[5]> arr)
{
// Prefer using the compiler to figure out how many elements there are
// as it reduces the number of locations where you have to change if needed.
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
As I said, my type_t<> trick wouldn't have worked at the time this question was asked. The best you could have hoped for back then was to use a type in a struct:
template<typename T>
struct type
{
typedef T type;
};
typename type<int(&)[5]>::type fillarr(typename type<int(&)[5]>::type arr)
{
// Prefer using the compiler to figure out how many elements there are
// as it reduces the number of locations where you have to change if needed.
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Which starts to look pretty ugly again, but at least is still more readable, though the typename may have been optional back then depending on the compiler, resulting in:
type<int(&)[5]>::type fillarr(type<int(&)[5]>::type arr)
{
// Prefer using the compiler to figure out how many elements there are
// as it reduces the number of locations where you have to change if needed.
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
And then of course you could have specified a specific type, rather than using my helper.
typedef int(&array5)[5];
array5 fillarr(array5 arr)
{
// Prefer using the compiler to figure out how many elements there are
// as it reduces the number of locations where you have to change if needed.
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]); ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Back then, the free functions std::begin() and std::end() didn't exist, though could have been easily implemented. This would have allowed iterating over the array in a safer manner as they make sense on a C array, but not a pointer.
As for accessing the array, you could either pass it to another function that takes the same parameter type, or make an alias to it (which wouldn't make much sense as you already have the original in that scope). Accessing a array reference is just like accessing the original array.
void other_function(type_t<int(&)[5]> x) { /* do something else */ }
void fn()
{
int array[5];
other_function(fillarr(array));
}
or
void fn()
{
int array[5];
auto& array2 = fillarr(array); // alias. But why bother.
int forth_entry = array[4];
int forth_entry2 = array2[4]; // same value as forth_entry
}
To summarize, it is best to not allow an array decay into a pointer if you intend to iterate over it. It is just a bad idea as it keeps the compiler from protecting you from shooting yourself in the foot and makes your code harder to read. Always try and help the compiler help you by keeping the types as long as possible unless you have a very good reason not to do so.
Edit
Oh, and for completeness, you can allow it to degrade to a pointer, but this decouples the array from the number of elements it holds. This is done a lot in C/C++ and is usually mitigated by passing the number of elements in the array. However, the compiler can't help you if you make a mistake and pass in the wrong value to the number of elements.
// separate size value
int* fillarr(int* arr, size_t size)
{
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + size; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Instead of passing the size, you can pass the end pointer, which will point to one past the end of your array. This is useful as it makes for something that is closer to the std algorithms, which take a begin and and end pointer, but what you return is now only something that you must remember.
// separate end pointer
int* fillarr(int* arr, int* end)
{
for(int* it = arr; it != end; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Alternatively, you can document that this function will only take 5 elements and hope that the user of your function doesn't do anything stupid.
// I document that this function will ONLY take 5 elements and
// return the same array of 5 elements. If you pass in anything
// else, may nazal demons exit thine nose!
int* fillarr(int* arr)
{
for(int* it = arr; it != arr + 5; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr;
}
Note that the return value has lost it's original type and is degraded to a pointer. Because of this, you are now on your own to ensure that you are not going to overrun the array.
You could pass a std::pair<int*, int*>, which you can use for begin and end and pass that around, but then it really stops looking like an array.
std::pair<int*, int*> fillarr(std::pair<int*, int*> arr)
{
for(int* it = arr.first; it != arr.second; ++it)
{ /* do stuff */ }
return arr; // if you change arr, then return the original arr value.
}
void fn()
{
int array[5];
auto array2 = fillarr(std::make_pair(&array[0], &array[5]));
// Can be done, but you have the original array in scope, so why bother.
int fourth_element = array2.first[4];
}
or
void other_function(std::pair<int*, int*> array)
{
// Can be done, but you have the original array in scope, so why bother.
int fourth_element = array2.first[4];
}
void fn()
{
int array[5];
other_function(fillarr(std::make_pair(&array[0], &array[5])));
}
Funny enough, this is very similar to how std::initializer_list work (c++11), but they don't work in this context.
to return an array from a function , let us define that array in a structure;
So it looks something like this
struct Marks{
int list[5];
}
Now let us create variables of the type structure.
typedef struct Marks marks;
marks marks_list;
We can pass array to a function in the following way and assign value to it:
void setMarks(int marks_array[]){
for(int i=0;i<sizeof(marks_array)/sizeof(int);i++)
marks_list.list[i]=marks_array[i];
}
We can also return the array. To return the array , the return type of the function should be of structure type ie marks. This is because in reality we are passing the structure that contains the array. So the final code may look like this.
marks getMarks(){
return marks_list;
}
the Simplest way to do this ,is to return it by reference , even if you don't write
the '&' symbol , it is automatically returned by reference
void fillarr(int arr[5])
{
for(...);
}
int *fillarr(int arr[])
You can still use the result like
int *returned_array = fillarr(some_other_array);
if(returned_array[0] == 3)
do_important_cool_stuff();
As above mentioned paths are correct. But i think if we just return a local array variable of a function sometimes it returns garbage values as its elements.
in-order to avoid that i had to create the array dynamically and proceed. Which is something like this.
int* func()
{
int* Arr = new int[100];
return Arr;
}
int main()
{
int* ArrResult = func();
cout << ArrResult[0] << " " << ArrResult[1] << endl;
return 0;
}
Source: https://www.tutorialspoint.com/cplusplus/cpp_return_arrays_from_functions.htm
C++ does not allow to return an entire array as an argument to a function. However, you can return a pointer to an array by specifying the array's name without an index.
If you want to return a single-dimension array from a function, you would have to declare a function returning a pointer as in the following example:
int * myFunction() {
.
.
.
}
C++ does not advocate to return the address of a local variable to outside of the function so you would have to define the local variable as static variable.
Applying these rules on the current question, we can write the program as follows:
# include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int * fillarr( );
int main ()
{
int *p;
p = fillarr();
for ( int i = 0; i < 5; i++ )
cout << "p[" << i << "] : "<< *(p + i) << endl;
return 0;
}
int * fillarr( )
{
static int arr[5];
for (int i = 0; i < 5; ++i)
arr[i] = i;
return arr;
}
The Output will be:
p[0]=0
p[1]=1
p[2]=2
p[3]=3
p[4]=4
template<typename T, size_t N>
using ARR_REF = T (&)[N];
template <typename T, size_t N>
ARR_REF<T,N> ArraySizeHelper(ARR_REF<T,N> arr);
#define arraysize(arr) sizeof(ArraySizeHelper(arr))
and what about:
int (*func())
{
int *f = new int[10] {1,2,3};
return f;
}
int fa[10] = { 0 };
auto func2() -> int (*) [10]
{
return &fa;
}
Actually when you pass an array inside a function, the pointer to the original array is passed in the function parameter and thus the changes made to the array inside that function is actually made on the original array.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int* func(int ar[])
{
for(int i=0;i<100;i++)
ar[i]=i;
int *ptr=ar;
return ptr;
}
int main() {
int *p;
int y[100]={0};
p=func(y);
for(int i=0;i<100;i++)
cout<<i<<" : "<<y[i]<<'\n';
}
Run it and you will see the changes
And why don't "return" the array as a parameter?
fillarr(int source[], size_t dimSource, int dest[], size_t dimDest)
{
if (dimSource <= dimDest)
{
for (size_t i = 0; i < dimSource; i++)
{
//some stuff...
}
}
else
{
//some stuff..
}
}
or..in a simpler way (but you have to know the dimensions...):
fillarr(int source[], int dest[])
{
//...
}
A simple and elaborate example, so that I can refer here if I forget the concept and need help.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int *ReturnArray(int arr[], int size)
{
static int MinMax[2] = {0, 0}; // must use static, else address would be deleted after the return is reached
MinMax[0] = arr[0];
MinMax[1] = arr[size - 1];
return MinMax;
}
int main()
{
int arr[] = {1, 2, 3};
int size = sizeof(arr) / sizeof(*arr);
int *ans; // pointer to hold returned array
ans = ReturnArray(arr, size); // only pointer can receive the return, not an array
cout << "Min: " << ans[0] << " Max: " << ans[1];
return 0;
}
Here's a full example of this kind of problem to solve
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
int* solve(int brr[],int n)
{
sort(brr,brr+n);
return brr;
}
int main()
{
int n;
cin>>n;
int arr[n];
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
{
cin>>arr[i];
}
int *a=solve(arr,n);
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
{
cout<<a[i]<<endl;
}
return 0;
}
i used static array so that while returning array it should not throw error as you are returning address of local variable...
so now you can send any locally created variable from function by making it as static...as it works as global variable....
#include<iostream>
using namespace std;
char *func(int n)
{
// char a[26]; /*if we use this then an error will occur because you are
// returning address of a local variable*/
static char a[26];
char temp='A';
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
{
a[i]=temp;temp++;
}
return a;
}
int main()
{
int n=26;
char *p=func(n);
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
cout<<*(p+i)<<" ";
//or you can also print like this
for(int i=0;i<n;i++)
cout<<p[i]<<" ";
}
Just define a type[ ] as return value, like:
private string[] functionReturnValueArray(string one, string two)
{
string[] x = {one, two};
x[0] = "a";
x[1] = "b";
return x;
}
.
.
.
function call:
string[] y;
y = functionReturnValueArray(stringOne, stringTwo)