Thread: Pointer notation for Multi-dimensional arrays...

  1. #1
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    Pointer notation for Multi-dimensional arrays...

    Question:

    What is the pointer notation for multi-dimensional arrays. For example, for a single array, I know you can write it as *(p+i), where i can increase or decrease. How would I do this for a multi-dimensional array?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    for a specific example in my code:

    Code:
    for(i=0; i< M-1; i++)
                {
                  if(age[i][0] == 0)
                    {
                      addr_temp = i;
                      j=0;
                      do
                        {
                          name[addr_temp][j] = name2[j];
                          j++;
                        }
                          while(name2[j] != '\0');
    
                      break;
                    }
                }
    Can someone show me how I would transfer a single array (name2[j]) to a multi-dimensional array (name[addr_temp][j]) ? How would I assign and declare the pointers for the multi-dimensional array pointer?

  3. #3
    and the Hat of Guessing tabstop's Avatar
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    Remember that the farthest-to-the-right index changes fast, so adding one position changes the rightmost index. So name[a][b] lives at the a*(size of second dimension)+b location.

  4. #4
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    another way would be to set the pointer to the first element [row=0][col=0] of the 2D array as in p = name[0] and then use the pointer and an offset notation *(p + i)

  5. #5
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    well, I need the change the array accordingly. So if I had an array with a dimension like this:

    array[10][15] (so it has 10 rows, and 15 columns)...

    the way I would be able to access a specific row and all the columns would be this (say row 6): ?

    a = array

    a*(6) + i (where i will increment from 0-14)?

    I'm not quite sure if I have the notation down...

  6. #6
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    if you wanted to access the last element of row 6 the notation is...
    *(p + i) where the offset i = num_of_cols X row + num_of_cols

  7. #7
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    i = num_of_cols X row + num_of_cols

    so if I had an array of array[10][15], and wanted to access last element of row 6, then it would be

    *(p+i) where i = (15)(6) + 15 ?

    I'm just trying to use a real example so I can make sure I understand it fully, thanks

  8. #8
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    Why don't you write a small example where you fill each row and colum with a different value (e.g. a multiplcation table), and then write another function to extract the data and see that you get it rigth. You could also write a 3 dimensional multiplication array (x * y * z), and see that you get that right.

    --
    Mats
    Compilers can produce warnings - make the compiler programmers happy: Use them!
    Please don't PM me for help - and no, I don't do help over instant messengers.

  9. #9
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    but is the way that I am presenting it, correct?

  10. #10
    Hacker MeTh0Dz's Avatar
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    Multidimensional arrays aren't stored as rows and columns...

  11. #11
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    Try it out as matsp adviced and if you run into problems you can always ask back here.

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