Thread: RPN calculator

Alright so my professor gave us an assignment to make an RPN calculator. He supplied us with the code to read in values and we have to write the code to put the values in an array and do the calculations. I understand the basics of arrays but I'm having a tough time trying to put the numbers that are inputted, into an array.

Code:

//Header Files
#include <stdio.h>
#include <math.h>

#define MAX_BUFFER_SIZE 100
#define MAX_STACK_SIZE 100


//Start of main function
int main(void)
{
	//Declarations
    char buff[MAX_BUFFER_SIZE];
    double i, x, stack[MAX_STACK_SIZE];
    int num_operand=0;

	//Program Title
    printf("            REVERSE POLISH CALCULATOR\n");
    printf("-------------------------------------------------\n");

    //This reads a string from the user
	if( scanf("%s", buff) < 1 )
    {
       printf("I did not understand\n");
       return 0;
    }

    //Checks to see if the user entered a number
    if(isdigit(buff[0]) || isdigit(buff[1]))
    {
       
	//Turns string into number and puts value in x
	sscanf( buff, "%lf", &x);
	
	//Place statements here to handle getting a number 
	for(i = 0; i < MAX_STACK_SIZE; i++)
	{
		stack[num_operand]=x;
		num_operand ++;
        }
	   
    } else {
	//Place statements to do operations


    }

	//Exit program
	printf("Press RETURN to exit program \n");
	getchar(); getchar();
	return 0;
 }

What's in red is what I've put in so far and the rest is what he supplied. I need to put the values that are inputted into an array. Am I on the right track with the for loop?

Also, I really don't understand how the values you want to put in are inputted.. When I run the program, I can type a number in, hit enter, and the program just stops..

Your for loop

Code:

	for(i = 0; i < MAX_STACK_SIZE; i++)
	{
		stack[num_operand]=x;
		num_operand ++;
        }

is off. Essentially, its putting the first number element in the string into the stack 100 times over. So your stack is just 100 n (where n is the first number the user inputs). What its doing is completely irrelevant, though you are on the right track. Check this algorithm out. It should visually clarify what needs to be done.

I'm not a %100 sure on this, but I think it's inappropriate to use sscanf. I believe sscanf should be used when you know the formating of the buffer, which is not the case here.

That's what I figured.. I've read through that whole article. Haha my professor basically printed that off and gave it to us and said, "There's your next assignment".

So I should use a for loop though? To put the values in the stack?

I would use a while loop. How will you know in advance how many numbers or arithmetic operators, will be in your expression. It could be just 5 + 2, or it could be 5 + 2 + 4 * 15.

There is no need to go through the entire stack (either one, since they are both first in last out stacks, I believe), to push a number onto the stack, or to pop a number (or operator), off of the stack. If you have 2 operators on the stack, you move two operators, not 100.

Your programs gets the string as input from the user.

I'd go through the string char by char. If it's a number, then put it on the number stack. If it's an operator, push it onto the operator stack. You don't need or want scanf, sscanf, etc. Roll your own.

To that end I'd use 3 functions, and call them only after your program has checked out the strings next char's to see what they are:

"5 * 4.3 + 18"

pushInt(5) // is between 0 and 9.
pushDouble(4.3) //because you found the decimal point with the number
pushOperator(+) //not between 0 and 9, must be an operator or a decimal point.

Sure, they're incredibly small functions, but I'd want to keep the logic in them, away from the logic that traverses the string.

Then have 3 functions just like it, but doing the pop's off the stack, instead of the push's, onto the stack.

Ok I got some more help from the professor today and made some good progress. I think I can handle it from here but there is one problem.

When I run my code, the only error I get is at the end and it says "syntax error at the end of input". It's literally on the very bottom below all my code. What would cause an error like that? I'm using XCode if that helps. I don't want someone to have to go through my entire code and debug it or something like that so I refrained from putting my code up. Is there something that would generally cause an error like that?

Either (1) mismatched braces or (2) no blank line at the end of the program (a C program is technically supposed to end with a new-line character, not a close brace).

Can you please post what you've corrected? I'm interested in how you've managed to parse the string - using sscanf or not.

You *push* the numbers and the operators onto their respective stacks.

To do the math, you need to *pop* them back off, in FILO order - like a stack of plates at a restaurant (one of those spring loaded kinds was always a good image for me).

Code:

(pseudo mostly)

tempAnswer = 0;
numbers[0] pops into num1
numbers[1] pops into num2  //or numbers[0] again if you adjust the stack between pops
//and if you didn't adjust the stack before this point, do it *now*.

operators[0] pops off and into op1

switch case (op1)  {

etc.

If you can imagine that stack of plates, and strictly follow that picture into your logic, without shortcuts, it will all fall into place, quicker.

tempAnswer += num1 + num2;

Does the user hit return when entering each new value? Or is the whole equation entered in as one string?

Yes. You put a number in and hit enter and it puts it on the stack. That's where I was confused too but my instructor helped me out there.