initializing an array after declaring it

[snig]

I have to questions the 1st is: How can i initialize an array after declaring it. for example string test[5] then somewhere else in the program how can i do something like this test ??? = {"one", "Two", "three", "Four", "Five"};
my 2nd question is: how can i initialize variable within a class.
any help is greatly appreciated

[jw6XoG1T]

well with the array, you would have to do something along the lines of:

test[0] = "One";
test[1] = "Two";
test[2] = "Three;
etc...

to initialize a variable within a class, the most common way that i find people do it is within the classes contructor. So take the following code for example:

class someClass
{
     public:

     someClass();

     protected:

     int age;
     string Name;
};

//option one
someClass::someClass()
{
     this -> age = 18;
     this -> Name = "Chuck Norris";
}

//option two
someClass::someClass() : age(18), Name("Chuck Norris")
{
 
}

so as you can see in the above code there are two ways to initialize variables that you declare within a class. The first method is within the constructors brackets and using the "this" keyword (it's optional to use the keyword though, personally i use it) and setting the variables to their appropriate values. The second method is by initializing the variables outside the function definitions name using a colon, and typing the variables name followed by the value of it inside parenthesis.

[snig]

thanks so much that makes a lot of sence :) i was hoping there would be away to initialize the whole array but oh well. one question now is how could i access the variable age inside of main. thanks again

[clanmjc]

how could i access the variable age inside of main

int someClass::getAge()const
{
    return age;
}

Then in main.

{
   //...
   someClass test;
   cout << test.getAge() << endl;
}

[kempofighter]

After declaring an array, you can only assign to it. Initialization must happen during the declaration if at all. Another option is to use a functor, when that makes sense along with an algorithm such as std::generate.

Take a look at this.
http://cplusplus.com/reference/algorithm/generate/

[JLBorges]

> How can i initialize an array after declaring it

// declare the array before it is used (with the extern keyword)
extern const std::string my_array[] ; // declare the array
// note: the size of the array is omitted in the declaration
// it can be specified only when the array is defined

extern const std::size_t my_array_size ; // and also declare the array size

// use them after they have been declared
void foo()
{
    for( std::size_t i = 0 ; i < my_array_size ; ++i )
          std::cout << my_array[i] << '\n' ;
}

// somewhere in your program, define the array (defining something initializes it)
const std::string my_array[] = { "One", "Two", "three", "Four", "Five" } ;
// and also define the array size
const std::size_t my_array_size = sizeof(my_array) / sizeof(my_array[0]) ;