Thread: Reversing an array via poiinters in a function

I am currently taking a c programming class, and have just had the worst time trying to figure out how to properly use pointers and functions. I understand how they work in theory, but I just can't seem to get the syntax down right, which has caused no end to my stress. Please, I need some serious help here.

My teacher has given me a fully written code, and asked me to build three functions to accommodate it. It seems simple in theory, but I can't figure out how to do it. First, I'm passed a 9 length array that I need to reverse (revArray(a)), then I need to return it to its original state (*revElement(a)), and then I need to sort the evens and the odds (evenOdd(a)).

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#define N 9

/* MAIN */
int main()
{
/* Load the array with numbers */
    int a[N];
    int idx;
    int *p = a;

    while(p < a + N)
        *p++ = a + N - p;
    printf("Original: ");
    p = a;
    while(p < a + N)
        printf("%2d ",*p++);

/* Part A: Reverse the array */
    revArray(a);
    printf("\nReversed: ");
    p = a;
    while(p < a + N)
        printf("%2d ",*p++);
    printf("\n");

/* Part B: Return elements in reverse order */
/*    printf("Original: ");*/
    for (idx = 0; idx < N; idx++)
    {
        printf("%2d ",*revElement(a));
    }
    printf("\n");

/*  Part C: Put even numbers first, odd numbers last in the array.  Order of
    the elements is not important as long as all evens are before first odd*/
    printf("Even:     ");
    evenOdd(a);
    p = a;
    while(p < a + N)
        printf("%2d ",*p++);
    printf("\n");


    return 0;
}

Every time I write a function, it doesn't work at all, so can I tell you what I think I should build as a function, and then you could tell me where I'm mistaken?

For (revArray(a)), I need to make a pointer equal to (a), and then rewrite (a), assigning a [0] = p [N - 1], a [1] = p [N - 2]...a [N] = p [0].

This is what I wrote

Code:

int revArray(int arr)
{
    int *p = arr;

    for (;p < N; p++)
    {
        p = arr + N - arr;
    }

    for (arr = p; arr <N; arr++)
    {
        arr = p + N - arr;
    }

    return (arr);

}

I've tried all kinds of different variations, but none work. What am I missing here??

As for (*revElement(a)), I assume I just have to build the same loop as in (revarray), as a[0] will be put back into a[N]. However, as it's a pointer, I'll need to return (&a), not just (a). Is this correct, or am I wrong on that as well?

Finally, for (evenOdd(a)), I assume I can just build an array of N+1, and then use %2, and assign all with an output zero to a++, while those with any other output to a-- + N. I've been so stuck on (revarray) that I haven't even had a chance to write that yet, but does it sound like I'm on the right track?

Again, any help would be massively appreciated.

Originally Posted by Malcolm McLean

Your tutor has nodded

the fucntion needs to be written like this

Code:

void revarr(int *arr, int N)

otherwise it can't know the length of the array.

I thought that because it was a pointer, I didn't need to declare the size in there (again, I'm still learning, and this can be a bit overwhelming). I have to do this without modifying the main code, meaning I need it to work with revarray(a), so I guess I'll just use

Code:

void revArray(int arr[N])

You need to think through the logic of how you would do it. Think of an array of one object then an array of two object, three object, and so on.#

I explained my logic in my first post. Is that wrong? If so, how is it wrong? Keep in mind that I'm supposed to be doing pointer arithmetic, not just writing a standard loop.

Originally Posted by dwks

Now, returning arrays is difficult. However, it sounds like revArray is supposed to reverse the array in-place; in other words, it takes int arr[] and reverses the elements within arr[] and then doesn't have to return anything. Like

Code:

void revArray(int arr[N]) {
    // swap arr[0] and arr[N-1]
    // swap arr[1] and arr[N-2]
    // ...
}

except in a loop, of course. As an example.

So how do I do that with pointer arithmetic. I keep trying and nothing works.

Here's my latest code. Can you please tel,l me what I'm getting wrong?

Code:

void revArray(int arr[N])
{
    int *p = arr;
    int i = 1;

    while (p < N)
        *p++ = arr + N - i;
        --i;


}

I've tried both while and for, and I can't make this work at all. The only thing I've gotten to work was this

Code:

void revArray(int arr[N])
{
    int *p = arr;
    int i = 1;

    //while (p < N)
    *p++ = arr [N - 1];



}

And it replaces arr [0] with the element in arr [N-1]. However, I stick it in a loop, and nothing happens. What am I missing?