Chapter 5.

ARRAY AND STRING

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Minh Quang NGUYEN
Hanoi National University of Education

September 2015

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs
STRING
Two-Dimensional Arrays
Initialization
You do it
Q&A

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

What is array?

An array is a collection of variables of the same type that are

referred to by a common name.

Every member of an array is allocated together in a memory

location.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

What is array?

An array is a collection of variables of the same type that are

referred to by a common name.

Every member of an array is allocated together in a memory

location.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

What is array?

An array is a collection of variables of the same type that are

referred to by a common name.

Every member of an array is allocated together in a memory

location.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

One-Dimensional Arrays

A one-dimensional array is a list of related variables. The general

form of a one-dimensional array declaration is:
type variable_name[size];

where
type: base type of the array, determines the data type of each
element in the array
variable name: the name of the array
size: how many elements the array will hold

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

Example

Declaration without
initialization

int sample[10];
float float_numbers[100];

Declaration with initialization

int scores[7] = {1, 3, 4, 5,

1, 3, 2};
char alphabet[3] = {A, B,
E};

char last_name[40];

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

Accessing Array Elements

I

An individual element within an array is accessed by use of an

index. An index describes the position of an element within an
array.

This consists of the name of the array, followed by brackets

delimiting a integer or a variable i.

Example
score[1] = 9;
for(int i = 0; i < 7; i++)
cout << score[i] << endl;

Note: In C++ the first element has the index zero!

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

Accessing Array Elements

I

An individual element within an array is accessed by use of an

index. An index describes the position of an element within an
array.

This consists of the name of the array, followed by brackets

delimiting a integer or a variable i.

Example
score[1] = 9;
for(int i = 0; i < 7; i++)
cout << score[i] << endl;

Note: In C++ the first element has the index zero!

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

Accessing Array Elements

I

An individual element within an array is accessed by use of an

index. An index describes the position of an element within an
array.

This consists of the name of the array, followed by brackets

delimiting a integer or a variable i.

Example
score[1] = 9;
for(int i = 0; i < 7; i++)
cout << score[i] << endl;

Note: In C++ the first element has the index zero!

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

No Array-to-Array Assignments
You cannot assign one array to another in C++.
Instead, you have to do the
Example
assignments for each element
int a[10], b[10];
// do something
// assign all elements
// of array b to array a
a = b;

int i;
// assign all elements
// of array b to array a
for(i=0; i<10; i++)
a[i] = b[i];

Or copy all of the memory bytes

memcpy();
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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

No Array-to-Array Assignments
You cannot assign one array to another in C++.
Instead, you have to do the
Example
assignments for each element
int a[10], b[10];
// do something
// assign all elements
// of array b to array a
a = b;

int i;
// assign all elements
// of array b to array a
for(i=0; i<10; i++)
a[i] = b[i];

Or copy all of the memory bytes

memcpy();
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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

ARRAYs

No Bounds Checking

C++ performs no bounds checking on arrays. Nothing will stop

you from overrunning the end of an array.
I

You will assign values to some other variables data!

You might even write into a piece of the program code!

Example
int crash[10], i;
for(i = 0; i < 11; i++)
crash[i] = i;

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

What is string?

The most common use for one-dimensional arrays is to store

strings of characters.
In C++, a string is defined as a character array terminated by a
null symbol.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Declaration

To declare an array str that could hold a 10-character string,

one would write:
char str[11];

Specifying the size as 10 makes room for the null at the end
of the string.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Declaration

To declare an array str that could hold a 10-character string,

one would write:
char str[11];

Specifying the size as 10 makes room for the null at the end
of the string.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Declaration

To declare an array str that could hold a 10-character string,

one would write:
char str[11];

Specifying the size as 10 makes room for the null at the end
of the string.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Reading a String from the Keyboard

Make an array, that will receive the string, the target of a cin
stream.

cout << "Enter a string: ";

cin >> str;
cout << "Your string:";
cout << str;

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Some C++ Library Functions for Strings

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions

I

strcpy(): copy characters from one string to another

strcat(): concatenation of strings

strlen(): length of a string

strcmp(): comparison of strings

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Some C++ Library Functions for Strings

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions

I

strcpy(): copy characters from one string to another

strcat(): concatenation of strings

strlen(): length of a string

strcmp(): comparison of strings

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Some C++ Library Functions for Strings

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions

I

strcpy(): copy characters from one string to another

strcat(): concatenation of strings

strlen(): length of a string

strcmp(): comparison of strings

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Some C++ Library Functions for Strings

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions

I

strcpy(): copy characters from one string to another

strcat(): concatenation of strings

strlen(): length of a string

strcmp(): comparison of strings

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Some C++ Library Functions for Strings

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions

I

strcpy(): copy characters from one string to another

strcat(): concatenation of strings

strlen(): length of a string

strcmp(): comparison of strings

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Example:

strcpy()

and

Example 1: strcpy()
char a[10];
strcpy(a, "hello");

strlen()

Example 2: strlen()

cout << "Enter a string: ";

gets(str);
cout << "Length is: " << strlen(s

Figure: Result of example 1

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

Example:

strcat()
Example 3: strcpy()
char s1[21], s2[11];
strcpy(s1, "hello");
strcpy(s2, " there");
strcat(s1, s2);

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The first string array has to be

large enough to hold both
strings:

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

STRING

About

strcmp()

The strcmp(str1, str2)

function compares two strings
and returns the following result:
Example 4
I

str1 == str2: 0

str1 > str2 : positive

number

str1 < str2 : negative

number

The strings are compared

lexicographically (i.e., according
to dictionary order):

cout << "Enter password: ";

gets(str);
if(strcmp(str, "password"))
{
cout << "Invalid password.\n
}
else
cout << "Logged on.\n";

a < aa < aaa < . . . < b < ba < bb < . . . < bz < baa < . . . < abca < abd
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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Two-Dimensional Arrays: declaration

I

A two-dimensional array is
a list of one-dimensional
arrays.

To declare a
two-dimensional integer
array two dim of size 10,20
we would write:
int matrix[3][4];

This corresponds to a table

with 3 rows and 4 columns

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Memory Allocation for Two-Dimensional Arrays

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I

Storage for all array elements is determined at compile time.

The memory used to hold an array is required the entire time

that the array is in existence.

The following formula determines the number of bytes of

memory that will be allocated:
bytes = rows columns number of bytes in type

For example, an integer array (with two-byte integers) with

dimensions 100,100 would require 100 * 100 * 2 = 20,000
bytes.

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28

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Memory Allocation for Two-Dimensional Arrays

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I

Storage for all array elements is determined at compile time.

The memory used to hold an array is required the entire time

that the array is in existence.

The following formula determines the number of bytes of

memory that will be allocated:
bytes = rows columns number of bytes in type

For example, an integer array (with two-byte integers) with

dimensions 100,100 would require 100 * 100 * 2 = 20,000
bytes.

Paris Saclay

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29

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Memory Allocation for Two-Dimensional Arrays

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I

Storage for all array elements is determined at compile time.

The memory used to hold an array is required the entire time

that the array is in existence.

The following formula determines the number of bytes of

memory that will be allocated:
bytes = rows columns number of bytes in type

For example, an integer array (with two-byte integers) with

dimensions 100,100 would require 100 * 100 * 2 = 20,000
bytes.

Paris Saclay

Minh Quang NGUYEN

30

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Memory Allocation for Two-Dimensional Arrays

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I

Storage for all array elements is determined at compile time.

The memory used to hold an array is required the entire time

that the array is in existence.

The following formula determines the number of bytes of

memory that will be allocated:
bytes = rows columns number of bytes in type

For example, an integer array (with two-byte integers) with

dimensions 100,100 would require 100 * 100 * 2 = 20,000
bytes.

Paris Saclay

Minh Quang NGUYEN

31

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Memory Allocation for Two-Dimensional Arrays

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I

Storage for all array elements is determined at compile time.

The memory used to hold an array is required the entire time

that the array is in existence.

The following formula determines the number of bytes of

memory that will be allocated:
bytes = rows columns number of bytes in type

For example, an integer array (with two-byte integers) with

dimensions 100,100 would require 100 * 100 * 2 = 20,000
bytes.

Paris Saclay

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32

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Multidimensional Arrays

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions

I

C++ allows arrays with more than two dimensions. The

general form of an N-dimensional array declaration is:
type array name [size 1] [size 2] ...

[size N];

For example, the following declaration creates a 4 character

array, or a matrix of strings:
char string matrix[4][10][20];

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Multidimensional Arrays

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions

I

C++ allows arrays with more than two dimensions. The

general form of an N-dimensional array declaration is:
type array name [size 1] [size 2] ...

[size N];

For example, the following declaration creates a 4 character

array, or a matrix of strings:
char string matrix[4][10][20];

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Two-Dimensional Arrays

Multidimensional Arrays

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions

I

C++ allows arrays with more than two dimensions. The

general form of an N-dimensional array declaration is:
type array name [size 1] [size 2] ...

[size N];

For example, the following declaration creates a 4 character

array, or a matrix of strings:
char string matrix[4][10][20];

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Character Array Initialization

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I Character arrays that will hold strings allow a shorthand
initialization that takes this form:
char array-name[size] = "string";
I

For example, the following code fragment initializes str to the

phrase hello:
char str[6] = "hello";

This is the same as writing:

char str[6] = h, e, l, l, o,
0;

Note: Remember that one has to make sure to make the array
long enough to include the null terminator.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Character Array Initialization

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I Character arrays that will hold strings allow a shorthand
initialization that takes this form:
char array-name[size] = "string";
I

For example, the following code fragment initializes str to the

phrase hello:
char str[6] = "hello";

This is the same as writing:

char str[6] = h, e, l, l, o,
0;

Note: Remember that one has to make sure to make the array
long enough to include the null terminator.

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37

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Character Array Initialization

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I Character arrays that will hold strings allow a shorthand
initialization that takes this form:
char array-name[size] = "string";
I

For example, the following code fragment initializes str to the

phrase hello:

This is the same as writing:

char str[6] = "hello";

char str[6] = h, e, l, l, o,
0;

Note: Remember that one has to make sure to make the array
long enough to include the null terminator.

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38

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Character Array Initialization

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I Character arrays that will hold strings allow a shorthand
initialization that takes this form:
char array-name[size] = "string";
I

For example, the following code fragment initializes str to the

phrase hello:

This is the same as writing:

char str[6] = "hello";

char str[6] = h, e, l, l, o,
0;

Note: Remember that one has to make sure to make the array
long enough to include the null terminator.

Paris Saclay

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39

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Character Array Initialization

C++ supports a range of string-manipulation functions
I Character arrays that will hold strings allow a shorthand
initialization that takes this form:
char array-name[size] = "string";
I

For example, the following code fragment initializes str to the

phrase hello:

This is the same as writing:

char str[6] = "hello";

char str[6] = h, e, l, l, o,
0;

Note: Remember that one has to make sure to make the array
long enough to include the null terminator.

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Multi-Dimensional Array Initialization

Multi-dimensional arrays are initialized the same way as

onedimensional arrays

For example, the following code fragment initializes an array

squares with the numbers 1 through 10 and their squares:
int squares[10][2] = {{1, 1}, {2, 4}, {3, 9}, {4, 16},
{5, 25}, {6, 36}, {7, 49}, {8, 64}, {9, 81}, {10,
100}};

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Multi-Dimensional Array Initialization

Multi-dimensional arrays are initialized the same way as

onedimensional arrays

For example, the following code fragment initializes an array

squares with the numbers 1 through 10 and their squares:
int squares[10][2] = {{1, 1}, {2, 4}, {3, 9}, {4, 16},
{5, 25}, {6, 36}, {7, 49}, {8, 64}, {9, 81}, {10,
100}};

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Multi-Dimensional Array Initialization

Multi-dimensional arrays are initialized the same way as

onedimensional arrays

For example, the following code fragment initializes an array

squares with the numbers 1 through 10 and their squares:
int squares[10][2] = {{1, 1}, {2, 4}, {3, 9}, {4, 16},
{5, 25}, {6, 36}, {7, 49}, {8, 64}, {9, 81}, {10,
100}};

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Unsized Array Initializations

I

It is possible to let C++ automatically dimension the arrays

through the use of unsized arrays. C++ will automatically
create arrays large enough to hold all the initializers present.
char error1[] = "Divide by 0";
char error2[] = "End-of-File";
char error3[] = "Access Denied";

For a multi-dimensional array, all but the leftmost dimension

have to be specified. So we can write:
char errors[][20] = {"Divide by 0", "End-of-File",
"Access Denied" };

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44

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Unsized Array Initializations

I

It is possible to let C++ automatically dimension the arrays

through the use of unsized arrays. C++ will automatically
create arrays large enough to hold all the initializers present.
char error1[] = "Divide by 0";
char error2[] = "End-of-File";
char error3[] = "Access Denied";

For a multi-dimensional array, all but the leftmost dimension

have to be specified. So we can write:
char errors[][20] = {"Divide by 0", "End-of-File",
"Access Denied" };

Paris Saclay

Minh Quang NGUYEN

45

Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Unsized Array Initializations

I

It is possible to let C++ automatically dimension the arrays

through the use of unsized arrays. C++ will automatically
create arrays large enough to hold all the initializers present.
char error1[] = "Divide by 0";
char error2[] = "End-of-File";
char error3[] = "Access Denied";

For a multi-dimensional array, all but the leftmost dimension

have to be specified. So we can write:
char errors[][20] = {"Divide by 0", "End-of-File",
"Access Denied" };

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Initialization

Arrays of Strings

An array of strings is a special form of a two-dimensional

array.
I
I

The size of the left index determines the number of strings.

The size of the right index specifies the maximum length of
each string.

For example, the following declares an array of 30 strings, each

having a maximum length of 80 characters (with one extra
character for the null terminator):
char string array[30][81];

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

You do it

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Chapter 5. ARRAY AND STRING

Q&A

QUESTION and ANSWER

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