Passing an array to a function, preferred way?

Is there a preferred or standard method for passing an array to a function as a parameter? First day of Advanced C++ today at college and we're working on some homework and the teacher wasn't much help. Our segment was to pass an array of integers to a function, and average them. Setting up the function I noticed that these both work:

Code:

---

int avgNums(int* array, int n)    // Pass pointer to array address
int avgNums(int array[], int n)    // Pass array address

---

I understand that they both point to the address for the array, but was wondering if there's a preferred or standard way to do this. I know there's something similar to how you define things as NULL in the new c++11, so was just looking for the right way to learn. :D

For a single dimensioned array either method is correct. With both you're passing the array address, not a pointer to an array address.

Jim

They both are fine if you are working with built-in arrays. The idea is that the pointer parameter will point to the first element of the array argument. However, I would declare the pointer to be a pointer to const int since the function would not be changing the elements of the array.

An alternative:

Code:

---

int avgNums(const int* begin, const int* end)

---

For this version, begin will point to the first element of the array, end will point to one past the last element of the array. It then becomes possible for you to take the average of a range, e.g., the second half of the array. (Well, it is possible with the pointer + offset version too, except that it would be somewhat less typical.)