Question

Write a function that takes an integer value and returns the number with its digits reversed. For example, given the number 7631 , the function should return 1367

Short answer

Define a function that converts the integer to a string, reverses the string using slicing, and then converts the reversed string back to an integer.

Step-by-step solution

Define the Function

Begin by defining a function that accepts an integer value as its parameter. For example, you might name the function 'reverse_digits', so your definition will start with 'def reverse_digits(number):'.

Convert the Integer to a String

Since the function will manipulate the digits of the number, convert the integer to a string using the str() function. Assign this string to a variable, for example: 'number_str = str(number)'.

Reverse the String

Reverse the string containing the digits by using slicing with the [::-1] syntax, which steps through the string backwards. Store the result in another variable, for example: 'reversed_str = number_str[::-1]'.

Convert the Reversed String Back to an Integer

Turn the reversed string back into an integer with the int() function. Return this integer from the function by using the return statement: 'return int(reversed_str)'.

Key concepts

C++ Programming

C++ programming is a foundational skill for many software developers and serves as an excellent entry into the world of computer science. It is a statically typed, compiled language known for its performance and efficiency, making it a popular choice for system software, game development, and other computationally intensive applications.

Within the context of the given exercise, C++ programming would involve creating a function that can take an integer, process it, and return the reversed number. The language provides a rich set of features to handle various data types and operations, ranging from primitive data types such as integers to complex class and object structures. C++ also supports a variety of control structures such as loops and conditionals, which are essential when manipulating data within functions.

Function Definition

A function is a reusable block of code designed to perform a specific task. In C++, a function is defined by specifying its return type, name, and parameters it accepts, followed by the body encapsulating the logic to be executed.

For the reverse integer function, the definition begins with indicating the return type, which, in this case, would be an integer (int). The next step is to give the function a name such as 'reverseDigits', and then specify the parameters it takes. For example, the final definition might look like int reverseDigits(int number). Inside the function body, the steps outlined in the solution would be implemented in C++, with appropriate syntax adjustments required by the language.

String Manipulation

String manipulation involves altering, parsing, or interrogating strings in numerous ways. In C++, the std::string class offers a comprehensive set of methods for string operations.

Reversing a string, as done in the exercise, is a common string manipulation task. Using standard library functions like std::reverse from the header, a string can be reversed in place. In the context of the exercise, once the integer is converted to a std::string object, its content can be reversed using the abovementioned function. Alternatively, C++ allows reverse iteration with rbegin() and rend() iterators provided by the string class.

Integer to String Conversion

Converting between integers and strings is a necessary skill in many programming tasks. In C++, integer to string conversion can be achieved using the std::to_string() function. This function is part of the standard library and converts numerical data types to their string representation.

In solving the exercise, once an integer is passed to the function, it is fed to std::to_string() to gain a manipulable string form of the number. After reversing the string, converting it back to an integer type involves the use of std::stoi() (string to integer) function, for which the reversed string will be its argument. These functions abstract the complex conversions and present a straightforward approach for this kind of type transformation.