When doing complex programming many times a person requires to copy an array or to create a new array with almost everything as used in the previous array, this can be done manually but it is a time taking process. So, if you are searching for a function that can do the copy job for you, follow this article’s guidelines.
Is There a Copy Function in C++ to Copy an Array
Yes, C++ does have a function to copy an array and it can be used in any C++ code. But remember that to use the copy function, a header file “<algorithm>” needs to be included in C++, as this header file supports the copy function in C++.
The syntax to use copy function is mentioned below:
Syntax
In the syntax, the arguments of the copy function are the arrays which need to be copied and the destination of the array:
The copy() function has three parameters:
-
- first- array from where the elements will be copied
- last- points the last index of the array to where we want to copy elements
- result- Points the new array where we want to copy the elements
How to Use copy() Function in C++ Code
The complete process to copy an array using the copy() function is discussed in the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Firstly import the header files as you always do for any C++ code, remember that to use copy() function, the <algorithm> header file needs to be included with a <iostream> header file:
#include <algorithm>
Step 2: Then start the main function(), all of the main code will be inside this main function:
{
return 0;
}
Step 3: Now let’s create an array which we will copy using the copy command in the upcoming steps. Here, I have named my array as org[ ] to represent the original array, you can use any other name too. My array has 7 elements, so I have also declared a variable n=7 which is changeable depending upon the number of elements inside an array:
int org[] = {2, 9, 8, 1, 3, 6, 3};
Step 4: Now I have defined a dest[ ] array, which is an array where the org[ ] array will be copied. After that finally use the copy function, the first argument is the original array, second is the array + n (which is the size of array), lastly the dest which is the array where all the elements will be copied:
std::copy(org, org+n, dest);
Step 5: Now by running a for loop I will print arrays. The below for loop is to copy org array:
for (int i=0; i<n; i++)
std::cout << org[i] << ' ';
std::cout << '\n';
Step 6: Similarly, to print the copied array I have used another for loop:
for (int i=0; i<n; i++)
std::cout << dest[i] << ' ';
std::cout << '\n';
Note: I have only printed/displayed both the arrays just for understanding but it is not mandatory.
The complete code is given below:
Code
#include <algorithm>
int main(){
const int n = 7;
int org[] = {2, 9, 8, 1, 3, 6, 3};
int dest[n];
std::copy(org, org+n, dest);
std::cout << "Original Array: ";
for (int i=0; i<n; i++)
std::cout << org[i] << ' ';
std::cout << '\n';
std::cout << "Copy of Array: ";
for (int i=0; i<n; i++)
std::cout << dest[i] << ' ';
std::cout << '\n';
return 0;
}
Now let’s run the code to display the output and to verify that array is copied successfully:
Output
Conclusion
Yes, there is a copy() function in C++ to copy arrays. To use copy() function just include <algorithm> header file at the top after which std::copy() can be used inside any C++ code. The syntax and a C++ code is also provided in the above-mentioned guidelines for easy learning.
