In need of help boys/girls.

Write a program that defines an array of 25 right Triang pointers, and then use Malloc to allocate 25 rightTriangle objects who pointters are then assigned to each of the 25 array elements. NOw, make each triangle a mulitple of a 3-4-5 triangle. The first triangle should have l=3, w=4, h=5. Each succeeding triangle should have dimensions a factor of two bigger than the last one.. Set the colors all the same. Now write a loop that will print each Triangle's description to the screen.


ok that is the problem i'm having. This is what i've came up with.. I'm having the most trouble with Malloc.

Header file is this.

Code:

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

typedef struct
{
    int l, w, h;
    char color[10];
} rightTriangle;

and my main.cpp file

Code:

#include "prob2.h"

void main()
{
    int i;
    
    rightTriangle triangle[25];


    triangle[0].l = 3;
    triangle[0].w = 4;
    triangle[0].h = 5;
    for (i=1; i<25; i++)
    {
        triangle[i].l = triangle[i - 1].l * 2;
        triangle[i].w = triangle[i - 1].w * 2;
        triangle[i].h = triangle[i - 1].h * 2;
    }

    for (i=0; i<25; i++)
    {
        cout << i << " l: " << triangle[i].l << " w: " << triangle[i].w << " h: " << triangle[i].h << endl;

    }
}

Please help me

When you say "Then use Malloc," is that strictly necessary for the code, or is it just the only way you know to dynamically allocate?

In C++ 'new' is greatly preferred.

unfortunately i know that new is preferred.. Although this assignment would like me to really use malloc in this program. I just can't figure it out.

Figure out what? Be specific, you barely have done anything with regards to your assignment and nobody will do your homework for you.

I have allocated the triangle 25 . I dont know how to use Malloc really at all. Doing the triangle section was an easy step. Malloc is what is getting mu stumped.

The prototype for malloc() is:

Code:

void* malloc(size_t size);

All malloc() does is allocate size bytes and returns a pointer of type void to that memory, or NULL if an error occured. So you are probably asking, well that’s great but how do I use it? Well the standard convention for using malloc is:

Code:

pointer = malloc(n * sizeof(*pointer));

where n is the number of elements you need and *pointer (the dereferenced pointer) is used to determine the size of the individual element. So if I wanted to create 1 new node I would do it like so:

Code:

//allocate space for our node
newNode = malloc(1 * sizeof(*newNode));
//check for error
if(newNode == NULL){
     printf("Error allocating memory");
     return;
}

*Note, the ISO standard dictates there is no need to cast the return from malloc(), however some compilers may complain about being unable to convert the types. If this happens you can still use malloc, simply cast the return*


Here is a FAQ casting malloc

Let me know if you need more info or explaination.

> rightTriangle triangle[25];

All you need to do now is

Code:

    rightTriangle *triangle = (rightTriangle)malloc( 25 * sizeof *triangle );

Yes, you need the cast if you insist on using malloc in C++.

This is better, tell your tutor.

Code:

    rightTriangle *triangle = new rightTriangle[25];

Also tell your tutor that main returns an int.

Originally Posted by Salem

> rightTriangle triangle[25];

All you need to do now is

Code:

    rightTriangle *triangle = (rightTriangle)malloc( 25 * sizeof *triangle );

you forgot (rightTriangle*)malloc =).. figured that out right after this.

thank you very much for helping me with this. Everytime that I come to these boards, I get the help that I need to advance my study. Thank you again for your help. Until we visit again.