1Z0-811 Java Basics and Syntax Practice Question
A developer is writing a program to find the maximum value in an array of integers. The code is:
int[] nums = {10, 20, 5, 30, 15};
int max = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < nums.length; i++) {
if (nums[i] > max) {max = nums[i];
} }
System.out.println(max);
The output is 30, which is correct for this array. However, the developer is concerned that if all numbers are negative, the output would be 0 instead of the highest negative number. Which modification ensures the algorithm works correctly for all integer arrays?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Initialize max to Integer.MIN_VALUE.
The issue is that initializing max to 0 fails when all numbers are negative, because max would remain 0 (greater than any negative number). Both options A and C correctly fix this: Option A initializes max to Integer.MIN_VALUE, ensuring that any array element will be greater than or equal to max. Option C initializes max to nums[0] and starts the loop from index 1, guaranteeing max is set to an actual array element. Option B is flawed because checking if max equals 0 after changes is not reliable. Option D with a boolean flag is unnecessarily complex and still requires proper initialization. Therefore, both A and C are correct modifications.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Initialize max to Integer.MIN_VALUE.
Why this is correct
Correct. Initializing max to Integer.MIN_VALUE ensures that any integer in the array (including negative numbers) will be greater than or equal to max, so max gets updated properly.
- ✗
Before assigning, check if max equals 0; if so, assign regardless.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Checking if max equals 0 before assigning is not robust; if max is initialized differently or the array contains 0, this logic fails.
- ✓
Initialize max to nums[0] and start loop from index 1.
Why this is correct
Correct. Initializing max to the first element and starting the loop from index 1 ensures max is always set to an actual array element, working for all arrays including all-negative ones.
- ✗
Add a boolean flag to track if any element has been processed.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Adding a boolean flag does not solve the initialization problem; it only adds complexity without guaranteeing correctness.
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