Multidimensional Arrays
An array that has more than one subscrpt is known as a multidimensional array. Multidimensional arrays can be visualizes as arrays of arrays. For example, a two dimensional array can be imagined as a two-dimensional table of a uniform concrete data type as shown below:
0 1 2 3 4
A two-dimensional array is the simplest form of a multidimensional array. In a two-dimensional array, two subscripts are enclosed in square brackets. The rirst subscript designates the row and the second subscript designates the column. A two-dimensional array is used for table processing or matrix manipulation.
Array Declaration
The general form of a two-dimensional array declaration in C++ is:
type array-name[rows][coloumns];
where
type is base data type of the array
array-name is name of the array
rows is first index, denotes number of rows
columns is second index, denotes number of columns
For example mat represents a two-dimensional array of 3 by 5 values of type int. This array can be declared as: int mat[3][5];
0 1 2 3 4
Array indicies always begin with 0.
The two dimensional array
int mat[3][5]; is equvivalent to
int mat[15]; //(3*5=15)
The only difference being that the compiler reminds us of the depth of each imaginary dimension.
The program
#include<iostream.h>
main()
{
int i,j;
int mat[3][5];
for(i=0;i<3;i++)
for(j=0;j<5;j++)
cin>>mat[i][j];
for(i=0;i<3;i++)
for(j=0;j<5;j++)
cin>>mat[i][j];
}
may give an output of this kind:
0 1 2 3 4