Thread: C Program beginner

So I need help with my homework, please help if you can;

I recently started a class that requires I know C, but the prerequisite classes that I took for that class taught C++, weird, but anyway since I don't understand C, I was wondering if you guys can help out.

I've tried learning C, but I can't get some of the stuff.
The first question asks:

a.1) to create a size n array of integer items by reading the values from the
keyboard

and..this is my attempt..

Code:

#include<stdio.h>





int main()
{
    int n;
    printf("how many keys?\n");
    getchar();
    n=getchar();
    int keys[n];
    scanf("%d",&n);
    printf(n);
    getchar();
    return 0;
}

Not sure what's happening, but the program crashes after enter two chars.

P.S I'm not trying to get an easy answer, I want to be able to master this stuff so I can return the favor

Thanks for reading~ Hopefully you guys can help.

Let's start with this: What compiler are you using? You're attempting to use variable-length arrays, which may not be supported by the compiler.

And, have you learned about pointers and dynamic memory allocation using malloc?

I'm using bloodshed

I've learned pointers, but not dynamic memory allocation and nothing with malloc.

OK, that's an old buggy unsupported IDE. Note that it's not a compiler; the compiler included is GCC, which is likely an old version and not capable of offering variable-length arrays. Therefore, please let us know the answer to the second question I edited in.

Consider moving to a newer, supported development environment like Visual C++ Express, wxDev-C++ (the more up-to-date version of "Bloodshed"), or Code::Blocks. If you're just doing C, then Pelles C is another good option.

EDIT: If you've not learned malloc, then you can only declare an array of a known size and read values into that (as long as you have space to store them). I'm guessing you're supposed to know about malloc at this point.

As far as I know in C you cannot create an array of a lenght an integer read either on a file or introduced by the user, so the instruction

Code:

int key[n];

should give you compilation problems.

Another command line that should give you problems is

Code:

printf(n);

Should say

Code:

printf("%d",n);

if what you want to print is the so-called array dimension.

If you can explain more about you assignment I could help, but the only way I know to do it is by using dynamic memory allocation (i.e. malloc). For what I understand is being able to create an array of any size, entering the size by the user. In general should be something like:

Code:

#include<malloc.h>
int main(){
int n;
int *key;
printf("How many keys? ");
getchar();
n=getchar();
key = (int*) malloc(n *sizeof(int));
for(i=0;i<n;i++)
{
key[i] = i;
printf("%d ", key[i]);
}
printf("\n");
return 0;
}

This program should create an array of size n and fill it with the first n naturals (starting at 0).

Hope this help.

Originally Posted by rags_to_riches

EDIT: If you've not learned malloc, then you can only declare an array of a known size and read values into that (as long as you have space to store them). I'm guessing you're supposed to know about malloc at this point.

Not true. Any compiler with C99 specs can create a variable length array or VLA.

What's the first part of the question? It seems bit off.

Originally Posted by MartaC

As far as I know in C you cannot create an array of a lenght an integer read either on a file or introduced by the user, so the instruction

Code:

int key[n];

should give you compilation problems.

Another command line that should give you problems is

Code:

printf(n);

Should say

Code:

printf("%d",n);

if what you want to print is the so-called array dimension.

If you can explain more about you assignment I could help, but the only way I know to do it is by using dynamic memory allocation (i.e. malloc). For what I understand is being able to create an array of any size, entering the size by the user. In general should be something like:

Code:

#include<malloc.h>
int main(){
int n;
int *key;
printf("How many keys? ");
getchar();
n=getchar();
key = (int*) malloc(n *sizeof(int));
for(i=0;i<n;i++)
{
key[i] = i;
printf("%d ", key[i]);
}
printf("\n");
return 0;
}

This program should create an array of size n and fill it with the first n naturals (starting at 0).

Hope this help.

I tried out the code you gave me, but it shot out

|10|error: 'for' loop initial declarations are only allowed in C99 mode|
|10|note: use option -std=c99 or -std=gnu99 to compile your code|
||=== Build finished: 1 errors, 0 warnings ===|

Originally Posted by FloridaJo

Not true. Any compiler with C99 specs can create a variable length array or VLA.

What's the first part of the question? It seems bit off.

The question is verbatim from the homework. :/

Originally Posted by quzah

Compile as C99 mode as described then. You will need C99 mode for VLAs anyway.


Quzah.

Sorry, how would I go about doing that?

Sorry, how would I go about doing that?

I believe that would be right in your error message???

note: use option -std=c99 or -std=gnu99 to compile your code

Never mind, figured it out, thanks anyway.

Originally Posted by MartaC

As far as I know in C you cannot create an array of a lenght an integer read either on a file or introduced by the user, so the instruction

Code:

int key[n];

should give you compilation problems.

Another command line that should give you problems is

Code:

printf(n);

Should say

Code:

printf("%d",n);

if what you want to print is the so-called array dimension.

If you can explain more about you assignment I could help, but the only way I know to do it is by using dynamic memory allocation (i.e. malloc). For what I understand is being able to create an array of any size, entering the size by the user. In general should be something like:

Code:

#include<malloc.h>
int main(){
int n;
int *key;
printf("How many keys? ");
getchar();
n=getchar();
key = (int*) malloc(n *sizeof(int));
for(i=0;i<n;i++)
{
key[i] = i;
printf("%d ", key[i]);
}
printf("\n");
return 0;
}

This program should create an array of size n and fill it with the first n naturals (starting at 0).

Hope this help.

So I ran this program and It does not seem to work, If I entered '2', it would print out 10 arrays and then when I enter '10' it prints out 48 arrays. Why is this happening?