C++ Star Pattern Pyramid - c++

Question

I'm trying to print the following pattern:
*
* *
* * *
* *
*
.. but I can't figure it out.
This is the logic that I am following.
i variable is for the row number.
j variable is for the column number.
Using for loops to guide the row number and column number.
I am able to create an increasing triangle pattern using the above logic but can't figure out how to start decreasing the pattern to form a pyramid.
Here is my code:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int i;
int j;
for (i = 1; i <= 4; i++)
{
for (j = 1; j < i; j++)
{
cout << "*";
}
cout << endl;
for (i; i <= 6; i++)
{
for (j; j <= 0; j--)
{
cout << "*";
}
cout << endl;
}
}
return 0;
}
I'd really appreciate some guidance to this.

Answer 1

for (i; i <= 6; i++)
It has no effect to mention a variable (i) in the init-statement of a for loop if there is wheter a declaration nor an assignment.
#include <iostream>
int main()
{
int width = 8;
// raising flank:
for (int i = 0; i < width; ++i) {
for (int k = 0; k <= i; ++k) {
std::cout << "* ";
}
std::cout.put('\n');
}
// falling flank:
for (int i = width - 1; i; --i) {
for (int k = 0; k < i; ++k) {
std::cout << "* ";
}
std::cout.put('\n');
}
}
Output:
*
* *
* * *
* * * *
* * * * *
* * * * * *
* * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * *
* * * * * *
* * * * *
* * * *
* * *
* *
*