Unit-6 Arrays
TOPICS DETAILS
Arrays Single-Dimensional and Multi-Dimensional arrays, Array operations
Strings Character array and strings literals, string literals declaring, initializing, and using strings
basic string operations, comparing strings
Pointers declaring and initializing pointers
Arrays
Think of arrays as a row of containers where you store items. In C++, arrays help us store and organize data
efficiently.
1. Single-Dimensional Array
Imagine a row of boxes, each with a number. Each box (or element) holds one piece of data, like a number or
a word.
Declaring: int scores[5]; — This line creates an array called scores that can hold 5
integer numbers.
Initializing: int scores[5] = {90, 85, 78, 92, 88}; — Here, each score fills one box
(element) in the array.
Accessing: Use scores[2] to access the 3rd box in the row (remember, arrays start at 0), which
would be 78 .
A single-dimensional array is a linear collection of elements of the same type. You can think of it as
a list.
Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
// Declaration
int arr[5];
// Initialization
arr[0] = 10;
arr[1] = 20;
arr[2] = 30;
arr[3] = 40;
arr[4] = 50;
// Accessing elements
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << "Element at index " << i << ": " << arr[i] << endl;
}
return 0;
}
2. Multi-Dimensional Array
A multi-dimensional array is like a grid, or a table, where you have rows and columns. Often used for
matrices.
A multi-dimensional array is an array of arrays. The most common form is the two-dimensional array.
2D Array (Matrix): int matrix[3][3]; creates a 3x3 grid where each cell can hold an
integer.
Example Initialization:
int matrix[3][3] = {
{1, 2, 3},
{4, 5, 6},
{7, 8, 9}
};
Here, matrix[1][2] accesses the item in the 2nd row and 3rd column (which is 6 ).
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
// Declaration and initialization of a 2D array
int matrix[2][3] = {
{1, 2, 3},
{4, 5, 6}
};
// Accessing elements
for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
cout << "Element at [" << i << "][" << j << "]: " << matrix[i]
[j] << endl;
}
}
return 0;
}
Array Operations
With arrays, you can:
Access elements by index, like array[index] . (like opening a locker by its number).
Update elements by assigning new values to indexes.
Loop through the array using loops to perform actions on all elements.
Array operations encompass a range of activities you can perform on arrays, including accessing, traversing,
modifying, searching, and sorting. Below are some common operations with detailed explanations and
examples in C++.
Array Operations
Accessing Elements: Retrieve values using indices.
Traversing: Loop through elements.
Modifying: Change values at specific indices.
Searching: Find elements using algorithms like linear search.
Sorting: Arrange elements in order (e.g., using bubble sort).
Sum and Average: Calculate the total and mean of elements.
Copying: Duplicate the contents of one array to another.
These operations form the basis for working with arrays in C++. Let me know if you need further
explanations or examples!
1. Accessing Array Elements
You can access individual elements of an array using their index. Indexing in C++ starts at 0.
Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
// Accessing elements
cout << "First element: " << arr[0] << endl; // Output: 10
cout << "Second element: " << arr[1] << endl; // Output: 20
return 0;
}
2. Traversing an Array
Traversing involves iterating through each element of the array, often to display them or perform operations.
Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
cout << "Elements in the array: ";
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << arr[i] << " "; // Output: 10 20 30 40 50
}
cout << endl;
return 0;
}
3. Modifying Array Elements
You can change the value of an element at a specific index.
Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
// Modifying an element
arr[2] = 35; // Changing 30 to 35
cout << "Modified third element: " << arr[2] << endl; // Output: 35
return 0;
}
4. Searching for an Element
You can search for a specific element in an array using a linear search or binary search (if the array is
sorted).
Linear Search Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
int searchValue = 30;
bool found = false;
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
if (arr[i] == searchValue) {
found = true;
cout << searchValue << " found at index: " << i << endl; // Outpu
t: 30 found at index: 2
break;
}
}
if (!found) {
cout << searchValue << " not found in the array." << endl;
}
return 0;
}
5. Sorting an Array
You can sort an array using various algorithms. Below is an example using the bubble sort algorithm.
Bubble Sort Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[5] = {40, 10, 30, 20, 50};
int n = 5;
// Bubble Sort
for (int i = 0; i < n-1; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < n-i-1; j++) {
if (arr[j] > arr[j+1]) {
// Swap arr[j] and arr[j+1]
int temp = arr[j];
arr[j] = arr[j+1];
arr[j+1] = temp;
}
}
}
cout << "Sorted array: ";
for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
cout << arr[i] << " "; // Output: 10 20 30 40 50
}
cout << endl;
return 0;
}
6. Finding the Sum and Average of Array Elements
You can compute the sum and average of the elements in an array.
Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
int sum = 0;
// Calculating sum
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
sum += arr[i]; // Sum of elements
}
double average = sum / 5.0; // Average calculation
cout << "Sum: " << sum << endl; // Output: Sum: 150
cout << "Average: " << average << endl; // Output: Average: 30
return 0;
7. Copying an Array
You can copy the contents of one array to another.
Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr1[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
int arr2[5];
// Copying arr1 to arr2
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
arr2[i] = arr1[i];
}
cout << "Elements of arr2: ";
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << arr2[i] << " "; // Output: 1 2 3 4 5
}
cout << endl;
return 0;
Character Arrays and String Literals
In C++, a character array (or char array) holds a sequence of characters, like a word or sentence.
A character array can be used to store a string in C++. Strings are null-terminated arrays of characters.
Character Arrays
Declaring: char name[6] = "Alice"; — Here, each character ( A , l , i , c , e ) is stored
in its own spot, ending with a \0 (null character) to show the end of the word.
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
// Character array
char name[20] = "Hello, World!";
// Printing the character array
cout << "Character Array: " << name << endl;
// Accessing individual characters
cout << "First character: " << name[0] << endl;
return 0;
}
String Literals
A string literal is a series of characters enclosed in quotes, like "Hello" .
Declaring a C++ string: string greeting = "Hello";
Basic String Operations:
str.length() gives the length of the string.
str1 + str2 joins two strings together.
str1 == str2 compares two strings to check if they’re the same.
Example
#include <iostream>
#include <string> // Include string library
using namespace std;
int main() {
// String literals
string str1 = "Hello";
string str2 = "World";
// Concatenation
string result = str1 + " " + str2;
cout << "Concatenated String: " << result << endl;
// Comparing strings
if (str1 == str2) {
cout << "Strings are equal." << endl;
} else {
cout << "Strings are not equal." << endl;
}
// Accessing characters
cout << "First character of str1: " << str1[0] << endl;
return 0;
Pointers
A pointer in C++ is like a label that remembers where something is stored rather than storing the item
itself.
Pointers are variables that store the address of another variable.
Pointers are like a friend who remembers the locker number of an item rather than holding the item directly.
They don’t store the value themselves, just the address (or locker number) where it’s located.
Declaring a Pointer
To create a pointer, use * :
int num = 10;
int *ptr = # // 'ptr' holds the address of 'num'
Here, ptr points to the address where num is stored in memory.
Here, ptr is like a friend who remembers the “locker number” where number is stored.
Example:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int var = 42; // Regular variable
int* ptr = &var; // Pointer declaration and initialization
cout << "Value of var: " << var << endl;
cout << "Address of var: " << &var << endl;
cout << "Value of ptr (address of var): " << ptr << endl;
cout << "Value pointed to by ptr: " << *ptr << endl; // Dereferencing
return 0;
Using a Pointer
Dereferencing: *ptr allows you to access the actual value at the address. You can access or
update the value in the locker by using the pointer:
cout << *ptr; // This gives the value stored at the address stored in
'ptr'
cout << *ptr; // Outputs 10, the value of 'num'
Pointers are useful because they let you manage data memory efficiently, especially when passing data to
functions or working with large data sets.
