C PROGRAMMING PROGRAM • ARRAYS, SEARCHING & SORTING

Delete an Element from an Array

Learn how to delete an element from an array using a clear C program.

BeginnerArraysDeletionLeft shift

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
5
10 20 30 40 50
3
Sample output
10 20 40 50

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

delete-array-element.c
Open in compiler
#include <stdio.h>

int main(void)
{
    int size, values[100], position;

    printf("Enter array size: ");
    scanf("%d", &size);
    if (size < 1 || size > 100) return 1;
    for (int index = 0; index < size; index++) scanf("%d", &values[index]);
    printf("Enter position to delete (1 to %d): ", size);
    scanf("%d", &position);
    if (position < 1 || position > size) return 1;
    for (int index = position - 1; index < size - 1; index++) values[index] = values[index + 1];
    size--;
    for (int index = 0; index < size; index++) printf("%d%c", values[index], index == size - 1 ? '\n' : ' ');
    return 0;
}

GUIDED CODE TOUR • NOT LIVE EXECUTION

Study the program line by line

Use the real compiler button above to run and debug with different inputs.

CURRENT STEP

Select Start to walk through the important lines.

SELECTED LINE

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EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

10 20 40 50
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Overwrite the deleted position by shifting all later elements one place left.
  3. Display the computed result.

Overwrite the deleted position by shifting all later elements one place left.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(n)

Auxiliary space

O(n)

DEBUGGING CHECKLIST

Common mistakes

Check this

Use the correct format specifier for every variable.

Check this

Initialize variables before using their values.

Check this

Check braces, semicolons and input order carefully.

Try it yourself

Practice: Run the program with the sample input, predict its output, and then test one boundary case of your own.