CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++return
buendia
buendia

Reputation: 31

How to return the index position and not the value?

I have the following 

int index = 0;

for (int i = start; i < end; ++i)
{
    cout << spot.at(i) << ' '; // prints 190 2 94
    if (spot.at(i) > spot.at(index)) // finds the greatest value which is 190 so gives back 0 bc spot.at(0) has the highest value
    {
        index = i;
        cout << index;
    }
}
return index;

so when I compile I get 190 instead of the index which is 0. If I do not put the return max I get 0 but I need to return the index with the greatest value so I have to include "return". It was working fine but then it keep fluctuating, so sometimes it works other times it doesnt. Now I tried it again with these values129 55 161 67 107 187 164 102 72 135 197 197 start = 0 and end = 11 but it keeps giving me 197 instead of the index which is 10. If I print index it does give me 10 but when I return index it gives me nothing. Still not quite sure whats going wrong, thanks your help is appreciated.

Upvotes: 2

Views: 2299

Answers (2)

Anmol Singh Jaggi
Anmol Singh Jaggi

Reputation: 8576

int max_index = 0;
for (int i = start; i < end; ++i)
{
    cout << spot.at(i) << ' '; // prints 190 2 94
    if (spot.at(i) > spot.at(max_index)) // find the greatest value
    {
        max_index = i;
    }
}
return max_index;

Upvotes: 3

RogueBaneling
RogueBaneling

Reputation: 4471

You want to track both the max value, and the index that the max value is located at. Then, when you find a new max, you update both the max and the maxIndex.

int max = spot.at(0);
int maxIndex = 0;
for (int i = start; i < end; ++i)
{
    cout << spot.at(i) << ' '; // prints 190 2 94

    if (spot.at(i) > max) // find the greatest value
    {
        max = spot.at(i);
        maxIndex = i;
    }
}
return maxIndex;

Upvotes: 2

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