Computer Science : Top-Down Development

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Computer Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Arrays

Consider the following code:

int[] vals = {6,1,41,5,1};

int[][] newVals = new int[vals.length][];

for(int i = 0; i < vals.length; i++) {

    newVals[i] = new int[vals[i]];

    for(int j = 0; j < vals[i];j++) {

        newVals[i][j] = vals[i] * (j+1);

    }

}

What does the code above do?

Possible Answers:

The code creates a 2D array that contains all multiples from 1 to 5 for the members of vals.

It performs a matrix multiplication on vals and newVals, storing the final result in newVals.

The code creates a 2D array that contains the multiples for the members of vals, using each of those values to determine the number of multiples to be computed.

It creates a 2D matrix with the vals array for every row.

It sums the values in vals, placing the outcome in newVals.

Correct answer:

The code creates a 2D array that contains the multiples for the members of vals, using each of those values to determine the number of multiples to be computed.

Explanation:

Let's look at the main loop in this program:

for(int i = 0; i < vals.length; i++) {

    newVals[i] = new int[vals[i]];

    for(int j = 0; j < vals[i];j++) {

        newVals[i][j] = vals[i] * (j+1);

    }

}

The first loop clearly runs through the vals array for the number of items in that array.  After this, it creates in the newVals 2D array a second dimension that is as long as the value in the input array vals.  Thus, for 41, it creates a 3rd row in newVals that is 41 columns wide.

Then, we go to the second loop.  This one iterates from 0 to the value stored in the current location in vals.  It places in the given 2D array location the multiple of the value.  Think of j + 1.  This will go from 1 to 41 for the case of 41 (and likewise for all the values).  Thus, you create a 2D array with all the multiples of the initial vals array.

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