How to pass and return a 3-Dimensional Array in C++?
Last Updated :
21 Jun, 2022
In C++ a 3-dimensional array can be implemented in two ways:
- Using array (static)
- Using vector (dynamic)
Passing a static 3D array in a function: Using pointers while passing the array. Converting it to the equivalent pointer type.
char ch[2][2][2];
void display(char (*ch)[2][2]) {
. . .
}
Program to pass a static 3D array as a parameter:
C++
// C++ code to demonstrate the above method
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
// Function to show how to pass
// a 3D character array to a function
void display(char (*ch)[2][2])
{
for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 2; j++) {
for (int k = 0; k < 2; k++) {
cout << "ch[" << i << "][" << j << "]["
<< k << "] = " << ch[i][j][k] << endl;
}
}
}
}
// Driver code
int main()
{
char ch[2][2][2] = { { { 'a', 'b' }, { 'c', 'd' } },
{ { 'e', 'f' }, { 'g', 'h' } } };
// Function call with 3D array as parameter
display(ch);
return 0;
}
Outputch[0][0][0] = a
ch[0][0][1] = b
ch[0][1][0] = c
ch[0][1][1] = d
ch[1][0][0] = e
ch[1][0][1] = f
ch[1][1][0] = g
ch[1][1][1] = h
Time Complexity: O(n3)
Auxiliary Space: O(1)
Passing 3D vector (dynamic array): When a vector is passed to a function, it can either be passed by value, where a copy of the vector is stored, or by reference, where the address of the vector is passed.
void function(vector <vector <vector < char >>> ch) {
. . .
}
- Pass by reference (Better):
void function(vector< vector < vector < char>>> &ch) {
. . .
}
Program to pass a dynamic 3D array as a parameter:
C++
// C++ code to demonstrate the initialization
// and passing as a parameter (passed as reference)
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
// Parameter passed as reference
void display(vector<vector<vector<char> > >& ch)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 2; j++) {
for (int k = 0; k < 2; k++) {
cout << "ch[" << i << "][" << j << "]["
<< k << "] = " << ch[i][j][k] << endl;
}
}
}
}
int main()
{
vector<vector<vector<char> > > ch
= { { { 'a', 'b' }, { 'c', 'd' } },
{ { 'e', 'f' }, { 'g', 'h' } } };
// Function to call function by passing as parameter
display(ch);
return 0;
}
Outputch[0][0][0] = a
ch[0][0][1] = b
ch[0][1][0] = c
ch[0][1][1] = d
ch[1][0][0] = e
ch[1][0][1] = f
ch[1][1][0] = g
ch[1][1][1] = h
Time Complexity: O(n3)
Auxiliary Space: O(1)
Returning a 3D array: A static array cannot be returned from a function in C++. So we have to pass a 3D vector from a function to get the functionality of returning a 3D array.
vector <vector< vector <char>>> fun() {
vector <vector< vector <char>>> ch;
. . .
return ch;
}
Explore
Basics & Prerequisites
Data Structures
Algorithms
Advanced
Interview Preparation
Practice Problem