Implementing a C Program to Calculate the Sum and Average of an Integer Array

In this article, we will explore a simple C program that calculates the sum and average of 15 integer array elements. Understanding and implementing such a program is an essential skill for beginners in C programming. This article will guide you through the process step-by-step.

Understanding the Problem

The goal is to write a C program that:

Takes 15 integers as input from the user. Calculates the sum of these integers. Determines the average of these integers. Displays both the sum and the average.

Short Overview of the C Program

Here is the code for the C program:

#include stdio.hint main() {    int numbers[15];  // Array to hold 15 integers    int sum  0;      // Variable to hold the sum of elements    float average;    // Variable to hold the average    // Input 15 integers from the user    printf(Enter 15 integers:
);    for (int i  0; i  15; i  ) {        scanf(%d, numbers[i]);  // Read each integer from the user        sum   numbers[i];  // Add each element to sum    }    // Calculate average    average  sum / 15.0;  // Use 15.0 to ensure the result is a float    // Output the results    printf(Sum: %d
, sum);    printf(Average: %.2f
, average);    return 0;}

Explanation of the C Program

Array Declaration: int numbers[15] creates an array to hold 15 integers. Sum Calculation: A loop iterates through the array reading integers from the user and adding them to the sum variable. Average Calculation: The average is calculated by dividing the sum by 15.0 to ensure the result is a float. Output: Finally, the program prints the sum and average.

Compiling and Running the Program

Save the code in a file named sum_average.c. Open a terminal and navigate to the directory containing the file. Compile the program using the command: gcc sum_average.c -o sum_average Run the program with: ./sum_average

You can then input 15 integers when prompted and the program will display the sum and average of those numbers.

Alternative C Program Implementation

Here is an alternative C program that achieves the same goal:

#include stdio.hvoid main() {    int sum  0;    double average;    printf(Enter 15 integers:
);    for (int i  0; i  15; i  ) {        scanf(%d, sum);    }    average  sum / 15.0;    printf(Sum: %d
, sum);    printf(Average: %.2f
, average);}

Note that there are a few syntax issues in this version of the program. Correcting them will make the code function as intended.

Why Shouldn't We Promote Such Practices?

It's important to understand that providing code solutions for homework can promote unethical behavior and cheating. According to educational institutions, such practices can lead to:

Academic Misconduct: Copying code from the internet or from someone else's solution is considered academic misconduct. Plagiarism: Submitting someone else's work as your own is a form of plagiarism, which can result in serious academic penalties. Exposure: In a class setting, if two or more students submit identical code, a quick Google search can reveal the source of the answer, leading to potential academic sanctions.

Conclusion

Learning to write code yourself is crucial for developing your programming skills. Instead of looking for code solutions, focus on understanding the problem and breaking it down into smaller steps. This will not only help you solve problems more effectively but also build a strong foundation for your programming journey.