Thread: What is an efficient way to REPLACE repeated elements within a 2D (10x10) int array

Thank you for your attention. I have generated a 10x10 integer matrix, by way of a 2 dimensional array, the elements are randomly generated and lie on 1 <= z <= 5. I am in need of an efficient method of setting all adjacent "duplicates" (repeating elements) of length 3 or greater to the integer six (6). The source for the brute method follows for clarity.

Code:

 
 46         for(row=0;row<10;row++)
 47         {
 48         for(col=0;col<10;col++)
 49         {
 50         board[row][col]=rand()%4+1; //filling matrix here
 51         }}
 52         print_board(board, row, col);
 53 
 54         printf("Switch: ROW COLUMN\n ");
 55         scanf("%hu %hu", &x1, &y1);
 56         printf("With: ROW COLUMN\n");
 57         scanf("%hu %hu", &x2, &y2);
 58         swap(board, x1, y1,x2, y2);  stdrd for loop no good b/c of
 59                                        //below <-this->below    
 60         if(board[0][0]==board[0][1] && board[0][1]==board[0][2] && board[0][2]==board[0][3])
 61         {
 62                 board[0][0]=6;
 63                 board[0][1]=6;  
 64                 board[0][2]=6;
 65                 board[0][3]=6;   // brute force would require many 
                                               // more to complete
 66         }
 67 
 68         print_board(board, row, col);
 69 
 70

I know there must exist a much more elegant approach than listing out all permutations. If you have seen this and recall the technique I would very much appreciate your assistance. C-Monster