Scribd
Upload
4 views7 pages

Beginning Program Notes

The eliminate function simulates a counting elimination process in a circle, similar to the Josephus problem, where people are eliminated based on a counting number k. It dynamically allocates an array to track eliminations, eliminates individuals when the step count reaches k, and prints the order of eliminations until only one person remains. Finally, it frees the allocated memory to prevent leaks.

Uploaded by

joxran03
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views7 pages

Beginning Program Notes

The eliminate function simulates a counting elimination process in a circle, similar to the Josephus problem, where people are eliminated based on a counting number k. It dynamically allocates an array to track eliminations, eliminates individuals when the step count reaches k, and prints the order of eliminations until only one person remains. Finally, it frees the allocated memory to prevent leaks.

Uploaded by

joxran03
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Line-by-Line Explanation of the eliminate Function

This function simulates a process where people are eliminated from a circle based on counting
rules, similar to the Josephus problem. The goal is to determine the order in which people are
eliminated and print the last remaining person's index.

Step 1: Function Definition


void eliminate(int n, int k)

●​ n → The number of people in the circle.


●​ k → The counting number that determines who gets eliminated.
●​ Returns nothing (void) → It simply prints the order of eliminations.

Step 2: Allocate Memory for an Array


int * arr = malloc(sizeof(* arr) * n);

●​ Creates an array dynamically of size n to track eliminations.


●​ Uses malloc() (memory allocation) to request space for n integers.
●​ sizeof(*arr) is equivalent to sizeof(int), which ensures each element takes the
right amount of memory.

Step 3: Check if Memory Allocation Succeeded


if (arr == NULL)
{
fprintf(stderr, "malloc fail\n");
return;
}

●​ If malloc fails (returns NULL), an error message is printed to stderr, and the function
returns immediately to avoid a crash.
Step 4: Initialize the Array
for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
{
arr[i] = 0;
}

●​ Sets all elements in the array to 0, meaning everyone is still in the game (not
eliminated).

Step 5: Initialize Tracking Variables


int count = 0;
int index = 0;
int step = 0;

●​ count → Tracks how many people have been eliminated.


●​ index → Tracks the current position in the circle.
●​ step → Keeps track of the counting sequence (from 1 to k).

Step 6: Start Eliminating People


while (count < n - 1)

●​ The loop continues until there is only one person left (n-1 eliminations).

Step 6.1: Check if Current Person is Still in the Game


if (!arr[index])

●​ arr[index] stores 0 if the person is still in the game and 1 if they were eliminated.
●​ If arr[index] == 0, they are still in the game, and we continue counting.

Step 6.2: Increase Step Count and Eliminate if Step == k


if (++step == k)
{
arr[index] = 1;
printf("%d\n", index);
step = 0;
count++;
}

●​ Increments the step counter each time we land on an active player.


●​ If step == k, we eliminate this person:
○​ Mark them as eliminated by setting arr[index] = 1.
○​ Print their index (printf("%d\n", index);).
○​ Reset the counting step (step = 0).
○​ Increase the eliminated count (count++).

Step 7: Move to the Next Person (Wrap Around if Needed)


index = (index + 1) % n;

●​ Moves to the next person in the circle.


●​ % n ensures that if index reaches the end, it wraps around to 0.

Step 8: Find and Print the Last Remaining Person


for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
{
if (!arr[i])
{
printf("%d\n", i);
break;
}
}

●​ Loops through the array to find the only person who has not been eliminated (arr[i]
== 0).
●​ Prints their index.
●​ Breaks out of the loop immediately once found.

Step 9: Free Allocated Memory


free(arr);
●​ Releases the memory allocated using malloc to prevent memory leaks.

Example Walkthrough

Input:
eliminate(6, 3);

Initial Array:
[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] // All people are in the game

Step-by-Step Execution:
Count 1, 2, 3 → Eliminate person at index 2​
[0, 0, X, 0, 0, 0] → Prints `2`

1.​

Count 1, 2, 3 → Eliminate person at index 5​


[0, 0, X, 0, 0, X] → Prints `5`

2.​

Count 1, 2, 3 → Eliminate person at index 3​


[0, 0, X, X, 0, X] → Prints `3`

3.​

Count 1, 2, 3 → Eliminate person at index 1​


[0, X, X, X, 0, X] → Prints `1`

4.​

Count 1, 2, 3 → Eliminate person at index 4​


[0, X, X, X, X, X] → Prints `4`

5.​

Only person left is at index 0​


[X, X, X, X, X, X] → Prints `0`

6.​
Output:
2
5
3
1
4
0

Summary

●​ Keeps track of eliminated people using an array (arr).


●​ Counts from 1 to k, skipping eliminated people.
●​ Eliminates a person when step == k and prints their index.
●​ Wraps around the array when reaching the end.
●​ Stops when only one person remains and prints their index.
●​ Uses malloc for dynamic memory allocation and free to release it.

You might also like