C++ Multi-Dimensional Arrays

In C++, a multi-dimensional array is an array of arrays. It allows you to store and manipulate collections of data in a structured manner, where each element can be accessed by specifying multiple indices.

There are two ways to declare a multi-dimensional array in C++: using a single set of square brackets or using multiple sets of square brackets. The first approach is called a row-major order, and the second approach is called a column-major order.

Example: Row-Major Order

1#include <iostream>
2using namespace std;
3 
4int main()
5{
6    int matrix[2][3];
7 
8    cout << "Enter 6 elements:" << endl;
9    for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
10    {
11        for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++)
12        {
13            cin >> matrix[i][j];
14        }
15    }
16 
17    cout << "The elements of the matrix are:" << endl;
18    for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
19    {
20        for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++)
21        {
22            cout << matrix[i][j] << " ";
23        }
24        cout << endl;
25    }
26 
27    return 0;
28}

Output:

1Enter 6 elements:
21
32
43
54
65
76
8The elements of the matrix are:
91 2 3
104 5 6

In the above example, matrix[2][3] declares a 2x3 matrix, where matrix[i][j] accesses the element located at the ith row and the jth column of the matrix.

Example: Column-Major Order

1#include <iostream>
2using namespace std;
3 
4int main()
5{
6    int matrix[3][2];
7 
8    cout << "Enter 6 elements:" << endl;
9    for (int j = 0; j < 2; j++)
10    {
11        for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
12        {
13            cin >> matrix[i][j];
14        }
15    }
16 
17    cout << "The elements of the matrix are:" << endl;
18    for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
19    {
20        for (int j = 0; j < 2; j++)
21        {
22            cout << matrix[i][j] << " ";
23        }
24        cout << endl;
25    }
26 
27    return 0;
28}

Output:

1Enter 6 elements:
21
32
43
54
65
76
8The elements of the matrix are:
91 4
102 5
113 6

In the above example, matrix[3][2] declares a 3x2 matrix, where matrix[i][j] accesses the element located at the ith column and the jth row of the matrix.