How do you dynamically allocate a matrix?

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A matrix is actually can be represented as an array of arrays.

int rows = ..., cols = ...;
int** matrix = new int*[rows];
for (int i = 0; i < rows; ++i)
    matrix[i] = new int[cols];

Of course, to delete the matrix, you should do the following:

for (int i = 0; i < rows; ++i)
    delete [] matrix[i];
delete [] matrix;

I have just figured out another possibility:

int rows = ..., cols = ...;
int** matrix = new int*[rows];
if (rows)
{
    matrix[0] = new int[rows * cols];
    for (int i = 1; i < rows; ++i)
        matrix[i] = matrix[0] + i * cols;
}

Freeing this array is easier:

if (rows) delete [] matrix[0];
delete [] matrix;

This solution has the advantage of allocating a single big block of memory for all the elements, instead of several little chunks. The first solution I posted is a better example of the arrays of arrays concept, though.

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