2D Arrays in C++ using New

In a previous post I discussed how to create 2D arrays in C. Here's the version for C++. Pointers can be easily used to create a 2D array in C++ using the operator "new" . The idea is to first create a one dimensional array of pointers, and then, for each array entry, create another one dimensional array. Here's a sample code:

double** theArray = new double* [arraySizeX];
for (int i = 0; i < arraySizeX; i++)
   // allocated arraySizeY elements for row i
   theArray[i] = new double [arraySizeY];

Voila!

To follow my previous post on 2D arrays in C, create a function called Make2DDoubleArray that returns a (double**) and then use it in the code to declare 2D arrays here and there

double** Make2DDoubleArray(int arraySizeX, int arraySizeY) {
 double** theArray = new double* [arraySizeX];
for (int i = 0; i < arraySizeX; i++)
   theArray[i] = new double [arraySizeY];
   return theArray;
}

Then, inside the code, i would use something like

double** myArray = Make2DDoubleArray(nx, ny);

Voila!

Of course, do not forget to remove your arrays from memory once you're done using them. To do this

// first delete inner entries
for (i = 0; i < nx; i++) delete[] myArray[i];
delete[] myArray;

Cite as:
Saad, T. "2D Arrays in C++ using New". Weblog entry from Please Make A Note. http://pleasemakeanote.blogspot.com/2010/07/2d-arrays-in-c-using-new.html