Getting output from one function to another, specifically an array

Question

I am very new to c# and I am trying to get my head around functions/methods.

Below, i am trying to create a program that has one function create 200 random numbers and store them in an array, i would then like another function to sort through said array and tally up duplicates. that is where the problem comes in, i am not entirely sure how to get the array from the first function or at least the values from it into the second function. the code below may be sloppy as i was kind of half way through when i got stuck.

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        ExamineArray();
        Console.ReadKey();
    }

    static void CreateArray(int i)
    {
        int[] array = new int[200];
        Random rand = new Random();
        for (i = 0; i<200; i++)
        {
            int x = rand.Next(0, 11);
            array[i] = x;
        }
    }

    static void ExamineArray()
    {
        for (int i = 0; i < 200; i++)
        {
            Console.WriteLine(CreateArray(i));
        }
    }
}

i have thought about having the second array go through and completely rewrite the contents of the first array but i still don't know how to get the contents over. sorry for asking such a simple question.

You need to read about parameters and return type. Here's a simple explanation — Franck
– Franck, Commented Jun 30, 2020 at 12:34

Mong Zhu · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-30 13:12:30Z

3

A method can be void, which means that it does not have a return type, or it can return an object. Usually a method that is called CreateArray can be expected also to return that array. You have to modify the signature of your method like this:

static int[] CreateArray(int i){ // your method code goes in here}

that means it will return an array of integer. Inside the method when you have finished constructing your array use the return keyword to get it out:

static int[] CreateArray(int numberOfArrayItems)
{
    int[] array = new int[numberOfArrayItems];
    Random rand = new Random();
    for (int i = 0; i<numberOfArrayItems; i++)
    {
        int x = rand.Next(0, 11);
        array[i] = x;
    }
    return array;  // <-- here you return the array
}

Now at the calling site of this method you can now simply harvest the constructed array for example:

static void ExamineArray()
{
    int[] array = CreateArray(200);
    // do what ever you want with it
}

If you want to read up on method signature and return types here is the documentation and here is a tutorial

edited Jun 30, 2020 at 13:12

answered Jun 30, 2020 at 12:37

Mong Zhu

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2 Comments

Chibi Ayano Over a year ago

when i enter the code: static int[] CreateArray(int 200) i get an error under the 200 saying it expects a ',' any idea what the problem could be?

Mong Zhu Over a year ago

@ChibiAyano yes, when you write the signature of the method: static int[] CreateArray(int 200) you need to give the parameter in the parentheses a name so that you can reference it inside the method. You don't write simply int 200

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