Working with arrays (we will use an array of `double` as example)

Accessing the elements in an array

Suppose we have created an array of 5 double variables:

The elements of the array are identified by the following variable names:

Explanation:

The first array element is accessed through the variable name a[0]
The second array element is accessed through the variable name a[1]
And so on.

Note:

The numbers 0, 1, 2, ... used to access array elements is called an (array) index
The indices of the array elements (in Java) start with 0
Consequently, if an array has n elements, the index of the last element is n − 1

Array index and array length

The array index:

Array index = an integer value that is used to access an array element

You can use any integer expression as array index !

Example:

a[1] // Accesses a[1]
int i; i = 1; a[i] // Accesses a[1]
int i; i = 2; a[i] // Accesses a[2]
int i; i = 2; a[2*i] // Accesses a[4]

The array length:

Each array variable in Java stores the length of the array

Example:

public class Length { public static void main(String[] args) { double[] a = new double[5]; // Define an array of 5 elements double[] b = new double[10]; // Define an array of 10 elements System.out.println( a.length ); // Prints 5 System.out.println( b.length ); // Prints 10 } }

Example Program: (Demo above code)
- Prog file: click here
How to run the program:

Example: printing all elements in an array

Consider the following for-loop:

public class Print1 { public static void main(String[] args) { int i; int n = 5; for ( i = 0; i < n; i++ ) { System.out.println( i ); } } }

Output:

0 1 2 3 4

Within the body of the for-loop, the variable i takes on all indices of an array of length n !!!

We can use this for-loop to print all elements in an array

Consider the following program:

public class Print2 { public static void main(String[] args) { double[] a = { 2.3, 3.4 , 4.5, 5.6, 6.7, 7.8, 8.9 }; // 7 elements int i; System.out.println( "# elements in array: " + a.length ); System.out.println( ); System.out.println( "The array elements are:" ); for ( i = 0; i < a.length; i++ ) { System.out.println( a[i] ); } } }

Output of this program:

# elements in array: 7 The array elements are: 2.3 3.4 4.5 5.6 6.7 7.8 8.9

Example Program: (Demo above code)
- Prog file: click here
How to run the program:

A basic problem solving technique in Computer Science: brute force search

Unlike humans who are intelligent but slow, in contrast, computers are dumb and fast...

Consequently, humans and computer will solve a problem differently
Humans will often discover patterns and and device shortcuts
Computers on the other hand, often will try every possible answer to find the correct answer

A commonly used technique to solve problems (perform tasks) with a computer is:

Brute force search

The Brute Force Search technique:

Check every instance of all possible solutions
For each instance, perform the desired task (e.g., determine if it is the best solution) on that instance.

Warning:

This is but one half of the technique,
The other half is maintaining the correct information.

Information, information, information:

In order to perform the desired task (e.g., determine if it is the best solution), we need information
Fact:
The information that the computer program must maintain is problem specific.
Through experience in writing computer programs, you will develop the skills to design the necessary information

The brute force search in an array

The following for-loop can be used to examine every element in an array:

(a is some array (any type) ) int i; for ( i = 0; i < a.length; i++ ) { // statements in the for-loop body will be // executed ONCE for each array element a[i] }

The variable i is used as array index.

Special syntax in Java to define indexing variables in for-statements

The for-statement is used so often, that Java has extended its syntax to allow you to define the array index variable inside the for-statement as follows:

(a is some array (any type) ) for ( int i = 0; i < a.length; i++ ) { // statements in the for-loop body will be // executed ONCE for each array element a[i] }

The reason for this special allowance to avoid Murphy's law (i.e.: what can go wrong, will)

The life time and scope of a variable that is defined inside a for-statement is the for-statement itself:
The index variable i can only be used inside the for-statement.
The for-statement is "self-contained".

Example:

public class Print3 { public static void main(String[] args) { double[] a = { 2.3, 3.4 , 4.5, 5.6, 6.7, 7.8, 8.9 }; // 7 elements System.out.println( "# elements in array: " + a.length ); System.out.println( ); System.out.println( "The array elements are:" ); // System.out.println( i ); // Will cause an error: i undefined for ( int i = 0; i < a.length; i++ ) { System.out.println( a[i] ); } // System.out.println( i ); // Will cause an error: i undefined } }

Example Program: (Demo above code)

Prog file: click here

How to run the program:

Right click on link and save in a scratch directory
To compile: javac Print3.java
To run: java Print3

Note:

If you uncomment the statement before or after the for-statement that uses the variable i, and re-compile, you will get an error message
This error message shows you that the variable i only exists within the for-statement

A specialized for-statement for accessing all elements in an array

Making array processing easier to program in Java goes even further
(The designers of Java keep adding to the Java language)...
A later version of the Java programming language introduced a specialized for-statement for array processing.

Syntax of the specialize for-statement for array processing:

for ( elementType varName : arrayRefVar ) { // statements in the for-loop body will be // executed ONCE for each array element "arratRefVar[i]" // which is represented by the variable name "varName" }

Example:

public class Print4 { public static void main(String[] args) { double[] a = { 2.3, 3.4 , 4.5, 5.6, 6.7, 7.8, 8.9 }; // 7 elements System.out.println( "# elements in array: " + a.length ); System.out.println( ); System.out.println( "The array elements are:" ); for ( double x : a ) { System.out.println( x ); // print all a[i] in array a } } }

Example Program: (Demo above code)
- Prog file: click here
How to run the program:
Output: (same as Print2.java)

Working with arrays (we will use an array of double as example)

Working with arrays (we will use an array of `double` as example)