How to initialize array with range 1 to n in C++?

In this article, we will learn how to initialize an array with range 1 to n in C++.

Table Of Contents

Suppose if n is 10, then array contents whould be,

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

We can think of solving the given problem in three ways. Let’s understand all the approaches in details one by one.

Initialize array with range using std::generate_n()

The very first and basic approach to initialize an array with range 1 to n in C++ is using std::generate_n() function. It is used to generate consecutive values with successive calls to a generator function and assign them to an array. This approach would be implemented in the following way:

// using generate_n predefined function
// to initialize array with range 1 to n.

#include <iostream>
#include <algorithm>

using namespace std;

// generator function that increment the value
// by 1 after each successive call
int generator()
{
    static int val = 0;
    return ++val;
}

int main()
{
    // size of array
    int n = 10;
    // declaration of array
    int arr[n];

    // applying the generate_n function to initialize
    // the array with range 1 to n
    std::generate_n(arr, n, generator);

    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        cout << arr[i] << " ";
    }
    cout << endl;

    return 0;
}

Output

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Initialize array with range using std::iota

The second approach to initialize an array with range 1 to n in C++ is using std::iota() function. In this approach, every element in the specified range can be assigned consecutive values using the std::iota() function. For example, the following approach, fills an integer array with consecutive values starting at 1.

// using std::iota predefined function to
// initialize array with range 1 to n.

#include <iostream>
#include <algorithm>
#include <numeric>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    // size of array
    const int n = 10;
    // declaration of array
    int arr[n];
    // taking start as 1
    int start = 1;

    // applying the iota function to initialize
    // array with range 1 to n.
    std::iota(std::begin(arr), std::end(arr), start);

    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        cout << arr[i] << " ";
    }
    cout << endl;

    return 0;
}

Output

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Initialize array with range using For loop

The third approach that we are going to learn is using for-loop to initialize an array, with the range from 1 to n. We can use the for-loop to fill the array with consecutive numbers, as implemented below:

// using for-loop to initialize array with range 1 to n.

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
    // size of array
    int n = 10;
    // declaration of array
    int arr[n];
    // taking start as 1
    int start = 1;

    // Applying for loop to initialize array with range 1 to n.
    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        arr[i] = start;

        // increment start by 1
        start++;
    }

    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        cout << arr[i] << " ";
    }
    cout << endl;

    return 0;
}

Output

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Summary

We have seen a detailed explanation of three approaches to initialize an array with range 1 to n. The first one is using std::generate_n() function, second is using std::iota() function, third one is using for-loop. Also, we have seen the detailed explanation, working and code of all the three approaches. Happy Coding.