Why is this simple output so difficult to code in C

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The discussion centers around a programming question related to generating a specific output pattern using loops in C. The original poster expresses confusion about the task, questioning its simplicity. Forum members emphasize that the purpose of the forum is to guide learners rather than provide complete answers, highlighting the importance of understanding the problem and developing problem-solving skills. They suggest using nested loops to achieve the desired output, with one loop for the number of rows and another for printing the correct number of ones and twos in each row. The conversation also notes that the original poster should have provided more details about their specific challenges to receive more targeted assistance. Additionally, some posts that deviated from the main topic were moved to a new thread for focused discussion.
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1
1 2 1
1 2 1 2 1
1 2 1 2 1 2 1
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1

I am stumped on how to do this, is it really as easy as it looks?
 
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Mod note: Deleted the portion that shows the answer to the problem in post #1.[/color]
Trueo, I see you are fairly new to the forum so perhaps you don't realize it, but the POINT of this forum is not to spoon-feed full answers to problems but to help people learn how to get their own answers by figuring out where they are having difficulty and giving them some help to get them over the next hump.

That is, we are not here to show how knowledgeable we are, we are here to help others get more knowledgeable.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I just think people visiting PF are mostly students who are different from (advanced) employees; and I am not showing off with what I know, it is just a mini program, which doesn't build me into any person. :-)
 
trueo said:
I just think people visiting PF are mostly students who are different from (advanced) employees; and I am not showing off with what I know, it is just a mini program, which doesn't build me into any person. :-)

You are still missing the point.
 
trueo said:
I just think people visiting PF are mostly students who are different from (advanced) employees; and I am not showing off with what I know, it is just a mini program, which doesn't build me into any person. :-)

Physics Forums rules do not permit providing complete answers, especially when the original poster has not shown any work.
 
It's too long since I last programmed in C, so you'll have to make do with some pseudo-code. I guess you don't just want to output your example, but any kind of figure like this:

1
1 2 1
1 2 1 2 1
. . .
n ones and (n-1) twos alternating

The first thing I see here is that you want n rows, so you need some kind of loop:

for i = 1 to n do {
. . .
}

Those three dots must produce line number i, which is made up of i ones and (i-1) twos. Forget the twos for the moment, and you still need to print i ones -- with another loop:

for j = 1 to i do {
print "1"
}

Now if you can work out how to get those two loops (one for printing n lines, the other for printing i ones) to work together, all you need to add is the twos in between the ones.
 
Five "printf"s anyone?

OP probably should have been a bit more specific about exactly what was the problem if s/he wants a more specific answer.
 
uart said:
Five "printf"s anyone?
Or one :bugeye:.
 
Timo said:
Or one :bugeye:.
Yep. Or two or three, depending on how much you like or dislike long lines of source code. Take your pick. :smile:

It a funny question this one. How do you get these five lines of output, no other information or parameters given. :smile:
 
  • #10
Many posts, which took this thread far beyond its original intent as a simple homework-help request, have been moved into a new thread here:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=655808

Please continue that discussion in the new thread. I apologize if I lost any posts in the process of transplanting them.
 
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