Thread: Input multiple floats directly to array

  1. #1
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    Input multiple floats directly to array

    Hey, so this term I'm taking C/C++ course, and I'm tasked with some exercises in C programming.

    Here is one:

    Write a program that reads in two vectors and calculates the inner product between them, as follows:
    1. Read in the length of the vectors (an integer followed by a newline).
    2. Read in the two vectors (floats separated by spaces, newline separating the vectors).
    3. The inner (scaler) product is the sum of the multiplication of each two elements:
      • If the vectors are [1, 0.5, 0] and [0.2, 1, 0.3] the inner product is: 1 * 0.2 + 0.5 * 1 + 0 * 0.3 = 0.7.

    4. Print the result up to 2 digits after the decimal point (hint: "%.2f").

    You may assume the input is valid, but you may not assume a maximum length.

    For example:
    Input Result
    3
    1 0.5 0
    0.2 1 0.3
    0.70
    0 0.00


    I thought first to input the lengths of both the vectors and then define the vectors in the suitable lengths (by pointers).

    But my problem is with the input of the coordinates - as it's in one row, so I don't know how I can insert efficiently and elegantly floats directly to the arrays.

    Does someone have an idea how can I input the coordinates correctly?
    Thank in advance!
    Last edited by HelpMeC; 11-30-2019 at 11:50 AM.

  2. #2
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    This should work, you needn't worry about the spaces and newlines when using cin. As soon as a space or newline is encountered, it automatically determines that you wanna fill in the next variable.

    Code:
    int main (void)
    {
        int SizeOfVector; std::cin >> SizeOfVector;
    
        float* Vec1 = new float [SizeOfVector];
        float* Vec2 = new float [SizeOfVector];
    
        int i;
    
        for (i = 0; i < SizeOfVector; i++)
            std::cin >> Vec1[i];
    
        for (i = 0; i < SizeOfVector; i++)
            std::cin >> Vec2[i];
    
        float Result = 0.0f;
    
        for (i = 0; i < SizeOfVector; i++)
            Result += (Vec1[i] * Vec2[i]);
    
        std::cout << Result;
    
        delete [] Vec2;
        delete [] Vec1;
    
        return 0;
    }
    [EDIT]
    Crap, just realised that this was posted in the C Programming section. You do make a mention of C/C++ though. You can change the cin to:

    Code:
    scanf ("%[^\n]f" , &SizeOfVector); // for input of Vector Size. It can also probably be just scanf ("%f" , &SizeOfVector) but I'm not sure as I don't know much of C
    
    for (int i = 0; i < SizeOfVector; i++)
           scanf ("%f" , &VecX[i]); // Again, not exactly sure what it's supposed to be. You will be able to figure it out...
    and cout to printf.

    You can replace malloc and free for new and delete. Also, you can make use of the fact that scanf can input until it encounters whitespace, newline or eof.
    [/EDIT]
    Last edited by Zeus_; 11-30-2019 at 01:08 PM.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeus_ View Post
    This should work, you needn't worry about the spaces and newlines when using cin. As soon as a space or newline is encountered, it automatically determines that you wanna fill in the next variable.

    Code:
    int main (void)
    {
        int SizeOfVector; std::cin >> SizeOfVector;
    
        float* Vec1 = new float [SizeOfVector];
        float* Vec2 = new float [SizeOfVector];
    
        int i;
    
        for (i = 0; i < SizeOfVector; i++)
            std::cin >> Vec1[i];
    
        for (i = 0; i < SizeOfVector; i++)
            std::cin >> Vec2[i];
    
        float Result = 0.0f;
    
        for (i = 0; i < SizeOfVector; i++)
            Result += (Vec1[i] * Vec2[i]);
    
        std::cout << Result;
    
        delete [] Vec2;
        delete [] Vec1;
    
        return 0;
    }
    [EDIT]
    Crap, just realised that this was posted in the C Programming section. You do make a mention of C/C++ though. You can change the cin to:

    Code:
    scanf ("%[^\n]f" , &SizeOfVector); // for input of Vector Size. It can also probably be just scanf ("%f" , &SizeOfVector) but I'm not sure as I don't know much of C
    
    for (int i = 0; i < SizeOfVector; i++)
           scanf ("%f" , &VecX[i]); // Again, not exactly sure what it's supposed to be. You will be able to figure it out...
    and cout to printf.

    You can replace malloc and free for new and delete. Also, you can make use of the fact that scanf can input until it encounters whitespace, newline or eof.
    [/EDIT]
    I have adapted your solution and it's excellent.
    Thank you!

    Code:
    int main (void)
    {
        size_t sizeOfVector;
        scanf("%zu", &sizeOfVector);
        
        float* vec1 = (float*)malloc(sizeof(float) * sizeOfVector);
        float* vec2 = (float*)malloc(sizeof(float) * sizeOfVector);
     
        size_t i;
     
        for (i = 0; i < sizeOfVector; i++) {
            scanf("%f" , &(vec1[i]));
        }
    
    
        for (i = 0; i < sizeOfVector; i++) {
            scanf("%f" , &(vec2[i]));
        }
     
        float result = 0.0f;
     
        for (i = 0; i < sizeOfVector; i++) {
            result += (vec1[i] * vec2[i]);
        }
     
        printf("%f\n", result);
        
        free(vec1);    free(vec2);
    
    
    
        return 0;
    }
    Last edited by HelpMeC; 11-30-2019 at 02:59 PM.

  4. #4
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    Cheers, and thanks to you too! I get to learn C without even having to refer to guides by just looking at code others post. Googling things I don't understand helps me catch up.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeus_ View Post
    Cheers, and thanks to you too! I get to learn C without even having to refer to guides by just looking at code others post. Googling things I don't understand helps me catch up.

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    Quote Originally Posted by HelpMeC View Post
    I have adapted your solution and it's excellent.
    Thank you!

    Code:
    int main (void)
    {
        size_t sizeOfVector;
        scanf("%zu", &sizeOfVector);
        
        float* vec1 = (float*)malloc(sizeof(float) * sizeOfVector);
        float* vec2 = (float*)malloc(sizeof(float) * sizeOfVector);
     
        size_t i;
     
        for (i = 0; i < sizeOfVector; i++) {
            scanf("%f" , &(vec1[i]));
        }
    
    
        for (i = 0; i < sizeOfVector; i++) {
            scanf("%f" , &(vec2[i]));
        }
     
        float result = 0.0f;
     
        for (i = 0; i < sizeOfVector; i++) {
            result += (vec1[i] * vec2[i]);
        }
     
        printf("%f\n", result);
        
        free(vec1);    free(vec2);
    
    
    
        return 0;
    }
    About that solution in C -

    I notice now that the loops iterate over the scanf in some manner I wouldn't expect.
    But it works - how is it?

    First, the user sends the sizeOfVector number - and press newline - we have got the size.

    But the next step is: the user fills a line: <float number>\whitespace<float number>\whitespace<float number>\newline
    For example:
    1 0.55 2.1

    In some way, this scanf actually inputs only one float per iteration, but how does it "know" to split the line into three sections of floats respectively?

    Thank you.

  7. #7
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    scanf reads until it encounters a whitespace, a newline or an eof character. So, when you type in that space b/w 1 and 0.55, scanf stops taking in input for the first float (which is 1 and also your first iteration) and starts taking in input for the second float (i.e. 0.55, in your second iteration). It doesn't "know" to split the line into three sections of float or as a matter of fact, SizeOfVector sections of floats. It simply reads until it encounter one of the above mentioned characters and stops reading. Then that loop iteration gets over. And then you start another loop iteration and this keeps of happening again and again until the test condition is violated.
    "Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook, The Wizardry Compiled

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeus_ View Post
    scanf reads until it encounters a whitespace, a newline or an eof character.
    Not necessarily. It depends on the format spec. %d simply stops when it encounters a non-digit (which may or may not be a space).
    %s reads only up to the first whitespace, but %[^\n], for example, stops when it encounters a newline (but not other whitespace).
    A little inaccuracy saves tons of explanation. - H.H. Munro

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by john.c View Post
    Not necessarily. It depends on the format spec. %d simply stops when it encounters a non-digit (which may or may not be a space).
    %s reads only up to the first whitespace, but %[^\n], for example, stops when it encounters a newline (but not other whitespace).
    Yes, this point was the next I wanted to ask Zeus about.
    BTW, %s doesn't get whitespaces? I didn't use the %[^\n] specifier much.

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    > BTW, %s doesn't get whitespaces?

    Nope, you'd probably have to do something like scanf ("%[^\n]s", string) to input a string with spaces until the user hits enter

    >
    I didn't use the %[^\n] specifier much.

    You don't need to wrt this problem. For %f here, as soon as you encounter a space or newline char, scanf stops taking the input and you continue on with your iterations.

    Not necessarily. It depends on the format spec. %d simply stops when it encounters a non-digit (which may or may not be a space).
    %s reads only up to the first whitespace, but %[^\n], for example, stops when it encounters a newline (but not other whitespace).




    Yea, that's there. I was speaking in general terms meaning that these are the minimum conditions for scanf to stop taking input unless you specify differently.
    "Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook, The Wizardry Compiled

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    Thank you guys.

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    Deleted.
    Last edited by HelpMeC; 12-04-2019 at 02:11 PM.

  13. #13
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    The format specifier for int is %d.

    Format Specifiers in C

    EDIT: Lol, why the delete ;). There's nothing to be worried. No one will judge you and even if they do, it doesn't matter. We're all learning things and it's easy to get confused and do simple, sometimes stupid, mistakes but that's okay :)
    Last edited by Zeus_; 12-04-2019 at 02:19 PM.
    "Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook, The Wizardry Compiled

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    @Zeus_
    No, it's all right, I wasn't embarrassed, on the contrary I have opened a topic about that.
    And thank you for the encouragement dude!

    Yea, I know this is also a format of integer but something weird is happening with the university's tests when I use only the specifier without nothing else:

    Code:
    int main(){
        // The string
        int len = 0;
        scanf("%i\n", &len);
        if (len == 0) {
            return 0;
        }
        
        char* str = (char*)malloc(sizeof(char) * len + 1); // Plus 1 for null-terminator
        scanf("%[^\n]s", str);
    
    
        // The n that will sum the result
        int n = 0;
    
    
        for (int i = 0; i < len - 1 && str[i] != '\0'; i++){
            if (str[i] == str[i+1]) {
                n++;
            }
        }
        if (n == 0) {
            free(str);
            return 0;
        }
        //Print from n to 2n
        for (int i = n; i <= 2*n; i++){
            printf("%c", str[i]);
        }
    
    
        free(str);
        
        return 0;
    }
    Look at the first scanf - if I change it to be:

    Code:
        scanf("%i\n", &len);
    Then some tests are failed like the following one...

  15. #15
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    Difference between %d and %i format specifier in C language - GeeksforGeeks

    Maybe this will help.
    I don't see a lot of people using %i...

    Also, why is it this?
    Code:
    for (int i = 0; i < len - 1 && str[i] != '\0'; i++)
    
    // len + 1 (for '\0') is the length of your string. So, you should do just this:
    
    for (int i = 0; i < len - 1; i++)
    
    // or
    
    for (int i = 0; str[i + 1] != '\0'
    
    // I can't understand why you'd put those two conditions in there
    "Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." - Rick Cook, The Wizardry Compiled

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