How to alphabetically sort strings? - c++

Question

I have been trying to use this c++ program to sort 5 names alphabetically:
#include <iostream>
#include <cstring>
#include <conio.h>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
char names[5][100];
int x,y,z;
char exchange[100];
cout << "Enter five names...\n";
for(x=1;x<=5;x++)
{
cout << x << ". ";
cin >> names[x-1];
}
getch();
for(x=0;x<=5-2;x++)
{
for(y=0;y<=5-2;y++)
{
for(z=0;z<=99;z++)
{
if(int(names[y][z])>int(names[y+1][z]))
{
strcpy(exchange,names[y]);
strcpy(names[y],names[y+1]);
strcpy(names[y+1],exchange);
break;
}
}
}
}
for(x=0;x<=5-1;x++)
cout << names[x];
return 0;
}
If I enter Earl, Don, Chris, Bill, and Andy respectively, I get this:
AndyEarlDonChrisBill
Could someone please tell me whats wrong with my program?

Answer 1

You could use std::set or std::multiset (if you will allow repeated items) of strings, and it will keep the items sorted automatically (you could even change the sorting criteria if you want).
#include <iostream>
#include <set>
#include <algorithm>
void print(const std::string& item)
{
std::cout << item << std::endl;
}
int main()
{
std::set<std::string> sortedItems;
for(int i = 1; i <= 5; ++i)
{
std::string name;
std::cout << i << ". ";
std::cin >> name;
sortedItems.insert(name);
}
std::for_each(sortedItems.begin(), sortedItems.end(), &print);
return 0;
}
input:
Gerardo
Carlos
Kamilo
Angel
Bosco
output:
Angel
Bosco
Carlos
Gerardo
Kamilo

Answer 2

You can use the sort function:
#include <algorithm>
#include <vector>
using namespace std;
...
vector<string> s;
sort(s.begin(),s.end());

Answer 3

You are using too much unnecessary loops. Try this simple and efficient one. You need to just swap when a string is alphabetically latter than other string.
Input
5
Ashadullah
Shawon
Shakib
Aaaakash
Ideone
Output
Aaaakash
Ashadullah
Ideone
Shakib
Shawon
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
string s[200],x[200],ct,dt;
int i,j,n;
cin>>n;
for(i=0;i<n;i++)
{
cin>>s[i];
}
for(i=0;i<n;i++)
{
for(j=i+1;j<n;j++)
{
if(s[i]>s[j])
{
ct=s[i];
s[i]=s[j];
s[j]=ct;
}
}
}
cout<<"Sorted Name in Dictionary Order"<<endl;
for(i=0;i<n;i++)
{
cout<<s[i]<<endl;
}
return 0;
}

Answer 4

Your code implements a single-pass of bubble sort. Essentially missing the 'repeat until no changes are made to the array' loop around the outside.

Answer 5

The code does not take care when the names are already in order. Add the following
else if(int(names[y][z])<int(names[y+1][z]))
break;
To the if statement.

Answer 6

Putting this here in case someone needs a different solution.
/* sorting example */
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
bool isSwap( string str1, string str2, int i)
{
if(str1[i] > str2[i])
return true;
if(str1[i] == str2[i])
return isSwap(str1,str2,i+1);
return false;
}
int main()
{
string str[7] = {"you","your","must","mike", "jack", "jesus","god"};
int strlen = 7;
string temp;
int i = 0;
int j = 0;
bool changed = false;
while(i < strlen-1)
{
changed = false;
j = i+1;
while(j < strlen)
{
if(isSwap(str[i],str[j],0))
{
temp = str[i];
str[i] = str[j];
str[j] = temp;
changed = true;
}
j++;
}
if(changed)
i = 0;
else
i++;
}
for(i = 0; i < strlen; i++)
cout << str[i] << endl;
return 0;
}