Pass array; largest and smallest

Passing an array to a function

In C, an array is passed by giving only its name (without brackets) as the actual argument. The name stands for the address of the first element, so the function receives the address, not a copy of all elements (call by reference).

• Call: findMinMax(a, n);
• Definition: void findMinMax(int a[], int n) (or int *a). The size is passed separately because the function cannot know it.
• Any change made to a[i] inside the function changes the original array.
• For a 2D array, all dimensions except the first must be written in the parameter, for example int m[][10].

Program

#include <stdio.h>

void findMinMax(int a[], int n)
{
    int max = a[0], min = a[0];
    for (int i = 1; i < n; i++) {
        if (a[i] > max) max = a[i];
        if (a[i] < min) min = a[i];
    }
    printf("Largest = %d\nSmallest = %d\n", max, min);
}

int main(void)
{
    int a[100], n;
    printf("Enter number of elements: ");
    scanf("%d", &n);
    printf("Enter the elements: ");
    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
        scanf("%d", &a[i]);
    findMinMax(a, n);          /* only the array name is passed */
    return 0;
}

Sample run

Input: 6 34 -5 78 12 0 56

Enter number of elements: Enter the elements: Largest = 78
Smallest = -5