Chapter 7: Problem 34

If the size declarator of an array definition is omitted, C++ counts the number of items in the _________ to determine how large the array should be.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Short Answer: When you initialize an array in C++ without specifying the size declarator, the compiler automatically determines the size of the array based on the number of elements in the initializer list. For example, in the array declaration `int numbers[] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};`, the compiler counts 5 elements in the initializer list and sets the array size to 5.

Step by step solution

Understanding arrays in C++

Arrays in C++ are used to store multiple values of the same data type in a contiguous block of memory. You can declare an array by specifying its data type, followed by the name of the array and the size declarator within square brackets (e.g., int numbers[5]) which indicates the number of elements in the array.

The size declarator

The size declarator in an array definition specifies the number of elements that an array can accommodate. It is an integral value that determines the amount of memory allocated for the array. For example, in the int numbers[5] array definition, the size declarator '5' specifies that the array can hold 5 integer elements.

Initializing an array without a size declarator

In C++, it is possible to omit the size declarator when declaring an array if an initializer list is provided. An initializer list is a set of values enclosed in curly braces, which are used to assign values to the array elements. The compiler automatically counts the number of elements in the initializer list and assigns it to the size declarator.

Example of determining array size

For example, let's consider an array declared without a size declarator but with an initializer list: ```cpp int numbers[] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}; ``` Here, C++ determines the size of the array based on the initializer list. In this case, there are 5 elements in the initializer list, so the compiler sets the size declarator to 5, resulting in an array with 5 integer elements. In summary, when the size declarator of an array definition is omitted, C++ counts the number of items in the initializer list to determine how large the array should be.

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If the size declarator of an array definition is omitted, C++ counts the number of items in the _________ to determine how large the array should be.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding arrays in C++

The size declarator

Initializing an array without a size declarator

Example of determining array size

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