How to do Random Array with Strings? - c++

Question

I hope this is a very simple question, but how can you random a string within a array
For example, for vaules ill do this
`
#include <cstdlib>
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
srand ( time(NULL) ); //initialize the random seed
const char arrayNum[4] = {'1', '3', '7', '9'};
int RandIndex = rand() % 4;
int RandIndex_2 = rand() % 4;
int RandIndex_3 = rand() % 4;
int RandIndex_4 = rand() % 4; //generates a random number between 0 and 3
cout << arrayNum[RandIndex] << endl;;
system("PAUSE");
return 0;
} `
how can i apply this if there is string within the arraynum
I have come across something like this in my serach for an answer though
std::string textArray[4] = {"Cake", "Toast", "Butter", "Jelly"};
but all I come across is a hex answer which does not change on it's own. so therefore I am going to assume it is probably not even randomized.

Answer 1

You could use std::random_shuffle
#include <string>
#include <iostream>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>
#include <algorithm>
int main() {
std::srand(std::time(0));
std::string str = "123456212";
std::random_shuffle(str.begin(),str.end());
std::cout << str;
}
Possible output: 412536212
If you're using C++11, you can do the same with C-Style arrays like so:
int main() {
std::srand(std::time(0));
std::string str[4] = {"Cake", "Toast", "Butter", "Jelly"};
std::random_shuffle(std::begin(str),std::end(str));
for(auto& i : str)
std::cout << i << '\n';
}
Or if you're lacking a C++11 compiler you can do the alternative:
int main() {
std::srand(std::time(0));
std::string str[4] = {"Cake", "Toast", "Butter", "Jelly"};
std::random_shuffle(str, str + sizeof(str)/sizeof(str[0]));
for(size_t i = 0; i < 4; ++i)
std::cout << str[i] << '\n';
}