Question

include 4 using std::cout; 5 using std::cin; 6 using … # What does the following program do? 1 // Exercise 5.7: ex05_07.cpp 2 // What does this program print? 3 #include 4 using std::cout; 5 using std::cin; 6 using std::endl; 7 8 int main() 9 { 10 int x; // declare x 11 int y; // declare y 12 13 // prompt user for input 14 cout << "Enter two integers in the range 1-20: "; 15 cin >> x >> y; // read values for x and y 16 17 for ( int i = 1; i <= y; i++ ) // count from 1 to y 18 { 19 for ( int j = 1; j <= x; j++ ) // count from 1 to x 20 cout << '@'; // output @ 21 22 cout << endl; // begin new line 23 } // end outer for 24 25 return 0; // indicate successful termination 26 } // end main

Short answer

The program prints a rectangle of '@' symbols with y rows and x columns.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Program Structure

The program begins by including the iostream library and allowing the use of cout, cin, and endl without the std:: prefix. This is a typical structure for C++ programs that handle input/output operations.

Main Function Explanation

The main function begins at line 8 and is the entry point of the program. It declares two integer variables, x and y, which will store user inputs.

User Input

The program prompts the user to input two integers in the range 1 to 20. These values are stored in variables x and y through the cin object on line 15.

Nested Loops for Output

The program contains an outer for loop running from 1 to y (line 17) and an inner for loop running from 1 to x (line 19). The inner loop outputs the character '@' x times on the same line. After executing the inner loop, the outer loop moves to the next line (line 22). This process repeats y times.

Ending the Program

After the loops complete, the program reaches line 25 and returns 0, indicating successful program termination.

Key concepts

Nested Loops

Nested loops are a fundamental concept in programming, especially in C++. They allow you to perform repeated operations within another set of repeated operations. In our exercise, we deal with two nested `for` loops, which help in creating a pattern based on user input.

The outer loop iterates `y` times, where `y` is the number input by the user. This loop is responsible for handling the rows when printing the pattern. For each iteration of the outer loop, the inner loop executes. The inner loop iterates `x` times, where `x` is also input by the user and determines how many `@` symbols are printed per line. This effective combination enables the program to print a grid of `@` symbols where the number of rows is defined by `y` and the number of `@` symbols per row is determined by `x`.

- The outer loop: `for (int i = 1; i <= y; i++)`
- Manages the number of lines printed
- The inner loop: `for (int j = 1; j <= x; j++)`
- Manages the number of `@` symbols per line

By using nested loops, complex patterns and multi-dimensional arrays can be manipulated efficiently, making them a powerful tool for programmers.

Input/Output Operations

In C++, input/output (I/O) operations are handled using the iostream library, which provides the standard functionality for reading and writing data. For our exercise, we utilize `cin` and `cout` for input and output operations, respectively.

- `cout`: This is used for displaying messages to the user. In the program, `cout` outputs a prompt asking the user to enter two integers (`"Enter two integers in the range 1-20:"`).
- `cin`: This is used for receiving user input. Here, it captures the two numbers entered by the user and assigns them to the variables `x` and `y`.

These operations convert user interaction into a meaningful input that the program can use to control its logic and execute the nested loops correctly. Being adept at using I/O operations is essential for creating interactive programs, making `cin` and `cout` crucial tools for any C++ programmer.

Program Structure

The program structure in C++ is crucial for writing well-organized and understandable code. Let's break down the program from the exercise to grasp this better.

1. **Include Libraries**: The program uses `#include ` to import the necessary I/O operations. Libraries enable the programmer to utilize built-in functions and objects, reducing the need to write code from scratch.

2. **Using Declarations**: Here, `using std::cout;`, `using std::cin;`, and `using std::endl;` are used to avoid repeatedly writing `std::` before these objects, simplifying the code.

3. **Main Function**: This is where the program begins execution. It includes variable declarations, input/output operations, and the core logic involving nested loops.
1. **Variable Declaration**: Declares `int x` and `int y` to hold user inputs.
2. **User Prompt and Input**: Uses `cout` to ask for user input and `cin` to store it.
3. **Nested Logic**: Using nested loops to process the input and produce output.
4. **Return Statement**: This final line `return 0;` marks the successful end of the program.
A clear understanding of program structure helps ensure that programs run efficiently and are easy to debug. By organizing code in this way, C++ programmers can create robust and scalable applications.