Create an array of size 10, find the largest value from the array.

Learn how to find the maximum value in an array using C programming

find_max.c

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int arr[10], i, max;

    // Input elements in the array
    printf("Enter 10 elements:\n");
    for(i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
        printf("arr[%d]: ", i);
        scanf("%d", &arr[i]);
    }

    // Assume first element is the largest
    max = arr[0];

    // Compare with other elements
    for(i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
        if(arr[i] > max) {
            max = arr[i];
        }
    }

    // Display the largest value
    printf("\nThe largest value in the array is: %d\n", max);

    return 0;
}

🧾 Step-by-Step Explanation

🔹 Step 1: Include Header File

#include <stdio.h>

This header provides essential input/output functions:

• printf() for displaying output
• scanf() for reading user input
• Other standard I/O operations

🔹 Step 2: Declare Array and Variables

int arr[10], i, max;

• arr[10]: Array to store 10 integer values
• i: Loop counter for array traversal
• max: Variable to store the maximum value

🔹 Step 3: Input Elements in the Array

for(i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    printf("arr[%d]: ", i);
    scanf("%d", &arr[i]);
}

• Prompts user to enter 10 values
• Stores each value in the array
• Uses %d format specifier for integers
• Displays current index with arr[%d]

🔹 Step 4: Assume First Element as Maximum

max = arr[0];

• Initializes max with first array element
• Provides a starting point for comparison
• Common algorithm pattern for finding max/min

🔹 Step 5: Compare and Find the Largest

for(i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
    if(arr[i] > max) {
        max = arr[i];
    }
}

• Starts loop from index 1 (since index 0 is already in max)
• Compares each element with current max
• Updates max if larger value is found
• Implements linear search algorithm

🔹 Step 6: Display the Result

printf("\nThe largest value in the array is: %d\n", max);

• Prints the final maximum value
• Uses %d to format the integer output
• Includes newline characters for clean formatting

🧪 Sample Output

Enter 10 elements:
arr[0]: 23
arr[1]: 45
arr[2]: 12
arr[3]: 99
arr[4]: 34
arr[5]: 67
arr[6]: 88
arr[7]: 54
arr[8]: 11
arr[9]: 76

The largest value in the array is: 99

📌 Key Concepts Covered

Array Declaration

Creating a fixed-size collection of elements with int arr[size]

Linear Search

Sequentially checking each element to find the maximum value

Conditional Logic

Using if statements to compare values

Loop Control

Using for loops to traverse arrays

Variable Initialization

Starting with a sensible default value (first element)