Yuelong Suco Sci 243 Lab 10 Pg 441 Date 5/16/20

Name Yuelong Suco Sci 243lab 10 Pg441 5date 51620

This program reads a list of integers into an array of base type int, either via user input or from a specified file, sorts the integers in descending order, and then displays each unique number along with its count.

Paper For Above instruction

The provided C++ program demonstrates fundamental techniques in array processing, user interaction, file input, sorting algorithms, and frequency counting within arrays. It begins by prompting the user to choose between manual data entry and reading data from a file. Based on the user's choice, the program collects integer data either through direct input from the user or by reading from a specified file whose path is provided by the user.

The core of the program involves sorting the collected integers in descending order. This is achieved through a bubble sort-like approach, where the array is iteratively compared and swapped to order elements from largest to smallest. After sorting, the program displays each unique integer along with the number of times it appears in the array. The counting of duplicates involves incrementing a counter each time subsequent elements are equal, which requires careful handling to avoid out-of-bounds errors.

Methodology

Firstly, the program declares an array of size 50 to store integers, along with variables to manage the size and iteration indices. The showScreen() function provides initial instructions to the user. Once the user makes a choice, the program either prompts for the number of integers and inputs each integer manually or asks for a filename from which it reads integers until the end of the file. It ensures that the number of read integers does not exceed the array size.

The sorting phase uses nested loops to perform a basic comparison and swap, arranging numbers in descending order. Notably, the code compares arr[i] with arr[j], swapping if arr[i] > arr[j]. This approach resembles a selection or bubble sort, although the implementation is somewhat unconventional. Improper handling of the inner loop may result in incorrect sorting, especially since the comparison is made with indices less than or equal to i, which may cause the sorted order to be incorrect.

Finally, the program iterates through the sorted array, counting consecutive identical numbers to determine their frequency, then outputs each number alongside its count. This process involves a while loop that increments the count while subsequent array elements are equal, ensuring accurate frequency display for each distinct value.

Implementation Concerns and Improvements

The existing implementation has several issues. For one, the sorting logic is non-standard and may lead to incorrect ordering; using a standard sorting algorithm, such as std::sort with a custom comparator, would be more reliable and easier to maintain. Additionally, the counting mechanism does not reset the loop index appropriately after processing duplicates, leading to potential indexing errors or miscounts. Improving robustness requires handling edge cases, such as reading beyond array bounds or empty files, and validating user input.

Furthermore, the code could benefit from modular design by separating functionalities into dedicated functions—for example, one for reading input, one for sorting, and another for counting and displaying. This modularization enhances readability, maintainability, and testing capabilities. Proper comments and consistent variable naming conventions would also contribute to better understanding and debugging.

Conclusion

In summary, this program showcases basic array handling, sorting, and frequency counting in C++, with user and file input options. While it effectively demonstrates core concepts, it can be substantially improved with more robust sorting algorithms, better handling of edge cases, and modular design to enhance accuracy and readability. Modern C++ features, such as vectors and algorithms from the standard library, could further optimize and simplify the implementation.

References

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