Question

Assume that array 1 and array 2 are both 25 -element integer arrays. Indicate whether each of the following statements is legal or illegal. A) arrayl = array2: B) cout \(\langle\langle\text { array } 1:\) C) \(\operatorname{cin} \gg\) array 2

Short answer

Question: Determine if the following statements are legal or illegal when working with 25-element integer arrays: A) array1 = array2 B) cout << array1 C) cin >> array2 Answer: A) Illegal: Arrays in C++ do not support direct assignment operations. To assign values from one array to another, we must use a loop. B) Illegal: To print the elements of an array, a loop is required. The given statement only prints the memory address of the first element. C) Illegal: Similar to printing, a loop is needed to input values for each array element. The given statement only takes input for the first element, leaving the rest uninitialized.

Step-by-step solution

A) array1 = array2

This statement is illegal. In C++, arrays do not support assignment operations like '=' directly. To assign the values of one array to another, we need to loop through the arrays and assign each value individually.

B) cout

This statement is illegal. To print the elements of an array, we need to use a loop to iterate through each element and print it. Using 'cout << array1' will only print the memory address of the first element, not the actual values stored in the array.

C) cin >> array2

This statement is also illegal. Similar to printing the elements of an array, we need to use a loop to input values for each element of the array. Using 'cin >> array2' will only take input for the first element, leaving the rest uninitialized.

Key concepts

Assignment Operations

In C++, not every operation is as straightforward as it might seem. An array in C++ is a collection of variables that are stored in contiguous memory locations, but this does not mean you can directly assign an entire array to another with the '=' operator. Such a statement like \( \text{array1} = \text{array2} \) is illegal because the '=' operator cannot be used to copy an entire array.

To work around this, you need to use a loop to assign the values of one array to another by copying each element individually:

• Start at the first element of the array.
• Use a loop that continues until the last element.
• For each element, assign the value from array2 to the corresponding position in array1.

This method will ensure that all elements are copied correctly from one array to another, maintaining data integrity. Understanding assignment operations in C++ is crucial because it helps in managing data efficiently in programs.

Output with cout

Printing array elements might not be as intuitive in C++ as printing a simple variable. If you attempt to directly print an array using \( \text{cout} \ll \text{array1} \), it would be illegal as this will only output the memory address where the array begins rather than the actual values stored in each element of the array.

To print an array, you must:

• Use a loop to iterate over each element of the array.
• Print each element individually using the 'cout' operator within the loop.
• Optionally format the output for better readability, such as adding spaces or newlines between elements.

This process allows you to access and display every element's value, which is essential for debugging and verifying data during program execution. Understanding how to output array elements is fundamental when dealing with larger datasets in C++.

Input with cin

When it comes to retrieving user input, arrays require careful handling in C++. Directly using \( \text{cin} \gg \text{array2} \) is illegal, as it will only take input for the first element of the array. The rest will remain uninitialized, which can cause unexpected behavior if not handled properly.

To correctly input values into an array, follow these steps:

• Employ a loop to ensure each element of the array is addressed.
• Use the 'cin' operator within the loop for each iteration to take user input.
• Store each input value in the corresponding array element.

By iterating over the entire array, you ensure that every element contains a user-provided value, preventing any uninitialized elements. Mastering input with arrays in C++ presents significant advantages in terms of flexibility and capability in user-interactive applications.