Largest number of a list

[dc116]

Let's say there's a list of 10 random numbers.

code:

var number : int for count : 1..10     number := Rand.Int(1,30) end for

Is there a keyword that displays the largest number of the 10?

Any help would be appreciated.

[DanielG]

there isn't a keyword, but you can find the largest in number by getting the random number each time and comparing it to your "maximum" variable which stores the largest, and if it is larger then change the value of maximum.

[Insectoid]

You need to set a number to be your initial 'largest'. This has to be very small, smaller than the smallest possible number in the list (in your case, it has to be < 1). Then go through the for loop, and if you find a number bigger than it, change your 'largest' number to that number. at the end of the for loop, the 'largest' number actually will be the largest number.

[DanielG]

actually it could be 1, as long as it's not bigger than the smallest it's fine.

[dc116]

Thanks for the help guys!

[btiffin]

Just a quick note on correctness. Take the first (any) value of the list you are scanning as the initial value for algorithms of this type. Don't try and outguess what might be the smallest or largest, things will work better.

There are exceptions of course; COBOL has the reserved figurative constant LOW-VALUE for instance, but I hope you get my meaning.

Cheers

[DanielG]

I think -2147483647 is small enough for any list containing integers (at least in turing).

[Insectoid]

DanielG, while the minimum integer would work, btiffin's way is actually better, as it does not rely on guessing a number smaller than the smallest. In fact, even if that number is smaller than the smallest could possibly be. As he said, it's about correctness. His way is far cleaner and maybe a little more efficient.

[A.J]

yeah, I agree with btiffin....setting the initial element of the array as the 'largest' should work easier

[Homer_simpson]

actually the keyword is max

Quote:

var number : int := 0
for count : 1 .. 10
number := max (Rand.Int (1, 30), number)
end for
put number