Storing a char n number of times in 1 loop - c

Question

Given an array of numbers [2,1,1]
Given an array of chars [x,y,z];
Trying to create a char array that looks like [x,x,y,z] // put in char times its number in first array. so #index 0 char is x and value is 2 so put x x
I can do this using 2 loops but is it possible to do it only using 1 loop? to make things less complex?

Answer 1

One can possibly, do this in one loop. I have tried to implement that, I hope I had done that in the rightful sense.
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main(void)
{
int count = 0, i = 0, j = 0;
int numbers[] = {4, 3, 2};
char array[] = {'x', 'y', 'z'};
int size = sizeof(numbers) / sizeof(numbers[0]);
char target[BUFSIZ] = {'\0'};
for (i = 0; i < size; )
{
target[j++] = array[i];
++count;
if (!(numbers[i] > count))
{
++i;
count = 0;
}
}
printf("target: %s\n", target);
return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}
Here is the output:
C:\Mine\C\test>build example
"Turbo C Compiler"
Turbo C++ Version 3.00 Copyright (c) 1992 Borland International
source\example.c:
Turbo Link Version 5.0 Copyright (c) 1992 Borland International
Available memory 4125804
target: xxxxyyyzz
"GCC Compiler"
target: xxxxyyyzz
Press any key to continue . . .

Answer 2

The short answer is that you need two loops - one for the char array, and one for each entry in the number array.
Say that n_array is the number array, and c_array is the character array and array is the final array.
int idx=0;
for (int cidx=0; cidx<C_LEN; cidx++)
for (int nidx=0; nidx<n_array[cidx]; nidx++)
array[idx++] = c_array[cidx];
As pointed out in the comments, you might need to allocate array as well. The only way to do that accurately is to either count the number of entries you will need by summing the values in n_array, or by starting with the length of c_array and using realloc as necessary.

Answer 3

Here's what the code looks like when implemented as a single loop. As you can see by comparing with #Trenin's answer, the nested loop solution is actually the simpler solution.
int main( void )
{
int numberArray[] = { 5, 10, 2 };
int charArray[] = { 'x', 'y', 'z' };
int outputArray[200];
int inputIndex = 0;
int inputLength = sizeof(numberArray) / sizeof(numberArray[0]);
int outputIndex = 0;
int outputCount = 0;
while ( inputIndex < inputLength )
{
if ( outputCount < numberArray[inputIndex] )
{
outputArray[outputIndex++] = charArray[inputIndex];
outputCount++;
}
else
{
outputCount = 0;
inputIndex++;
}
}
}