Count set bits in a range in C++

We are given an integer number let’s say, num and the range with left and right values. The task is to firstly calculate the binary digit of a number and then set the loop from the left digit till the right digit and then in the given range calculate the set bits.

Set bits in a binary number is represented by 1. Whenever we calculate the binary number of an integer value then it is formed as the combination of 0’s and 1’s. So, the digit 1 is known as set bit in the terms of the computer.

Input − int number = 50, left = 2, right = 5

Output − Count of total set bits in a range are − 2

Explanation-: Binary representation of a number 50 is 110010 and we have a range starting from left = 2 which is having bit as 1 and ending to right = 5 which is having bit 1 and in between the range we only have 0’s. So the count is 2.

Input − int number = 42, left = 3, right 4

Output − Count of total set bits in a range are − 1

Explanation − Binary representation of a number 42 is 101010 and we have a range starting from left = 3 which is having bit as 1 and ending to right = 4 which is having bit 0 and in between the range we only have one digit. So the count is 1.

Approach used in the below program is as follows

• Input the number in a variable of integer type and also the range with left and right integer values.

• Declare a variable count to store the total count of set bits of type unsigned int

• Start loop FOR from i to 1<<7 and i > 0 and i to i / 2

• Inside the loop, check num & 1 == TRUE then print 1 else print 0

• Start loop while to calculate the total count of bits till number isn’t 0

• Inside the loop, set count = count + number & 1 and also set number >>=1

• Set a temporary variable let’s say, a with ((1 << right) - 1) ^ ((1 << (left - 1)) - 1);

• Also, set count with count & a

• Print the count

Example

 Live Demo

#include<iostream>
using namespace std;
//Count total bits in a range
unsigned int bits(unsigned int number, unsigned int left, unsigned int right){
   unsigned int count = 0;
   unsigned i;
   //display the total 8-bit number
   cout<<"8-bit digits of "<<number<<" is: ";
   for (i = 1 << 7; i > 0; i = i / 2){
      (number & i)? cout<<"1": cout<<"0";
   }
   //calculate the total bits in a number
   while (number){
      count += number & 1;
      number >>= 1;
   }
   //calculate the set bit in a range
   int a = ((1 << right) - 1) ^ ((1 << (left - 1)) - 1);
   count = count & a;
   cout<<"\nCount of total set bits in a range are: "<<count;
}
int main(){
   unsigned int number = 42;
   unsigned int left = 2, right = 5;
   bits(number, left, right);
   return 0;
}

Output

If we run the above code it will generate the following output −

8-bit digits of 42 is: 00101010
Count of total set bits in a range are: 2