Thread: Trying to Model a Deck of Cards.

Hi,

I'm working on an assignment that asks us to model a deck of cards by creating a map in a labeling scheme with the numbers 0-53 (including the jokers). I'm a little lost on how to do this.. I've looked through our text books and looked for hints but, I have not found anything. I have also looked through lecture notes as well and I can't unfortunately figure out how to accomplish this.
The hints that we are offered are:

2c -> 0, 2d -> 1, 2h -> 2, 2s -> 3, and etc, etc until Ac -> 48, Ad->49, Ah-> 50, As->51. .

What I am thinking is adding a structure for the clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades but, again I don't know if this is the right direction i need to be headed in. If anyone can show me the right direction or links to resources that can help me accomplish this. I would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Hi,

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean regarding "mapping" but I think an enum type might be useful for you. If you're trying to produce a unique numeric value for each card, you could simply create an enum for card (starting with one for ace) and one for suit and simply multiply the values together. i.e.

Code:

enum card_value {ace = 1, two, three, four...};
enum suit {clubs = 1, heart, diamonds...};

int card[2];

card[0] = ace;
card[1] = heart;

int card_value = ace*heart;

Article regarding enum:

C Enumeration Declarations

Hi Dan...
I've always found the easiest way to model a deck of cards is as a single numerical array.

Essentially you assign the array values from 0 to 51 then shuffle it.
The suit of any given card (array value) is the number / 13, which in a deck numbered 0 to 51, returns 0 to 3.
The face value of the card is the number % 13, which returns 0 to 12 to represent the card's face value.

To print these out, you use constant arrays, one for the name of the face value, one for the names of the suits.

Here is a little demonstration piece to show you the concepts... DO NOT simply copy this code. Study it, learn how it works, then write your own version of it... You don't learn anything by taking the easy way out, plus teachers do check here so you'd probably just get nailed for cheating!

Code:

// deck of cards demonstration
#include <stdio.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <ctype.h>

#define CARDS 52

const char *face[] = {"Ace","Two","Three","Four","Five","Six","Seven",
                    "Eight","Nine","Ten","Jack","Queen","King" };

const char *suit[] = {"Spades","Hearts","Clubs","Diamonds"};


// function to shuffle the deck
int Shuffle(int *deck)
  { 
    int i, temp, card; 

    printf("\nShuffling...\n\n");
    for (i = CARDS - 1; i > 0; i--)
      { 
        card = rand() % i;
        temp = deck[i];
        deck[i] = deck[card];
        deck[card] = temp;

      }
    return 0;
  }
      

// program entry point
int main (void)
  { 
    int deck[CARDS];  // deck
    int card = 53;    // card
    int fac, sut;     // face and suit
    int i;            // counter
    char ch = 0;      // keyboard
    
    printf("The card dealer....\n\n); 

    srand(time(NULL));

    //initialize the deck
    for (i = 0; i < CARDS; i++)
      deck[i] = i;

    // deal cards  
    do
      {
        if ( card >= CARDS )  
          card = Shuffle(deck);

        // face and suit
        fac = deck[card] % 13;
        sut = deck[card] / 13;

        // display the card
        printf("%2d > %s of %s\t\t",card,face[fac],suit[sut]);
        card++;

        printf("(Enter to deal, Q to quit)\n");
        ch = getchar();
      }
    while( toupper(ch) != 'Q');
    return 0;
  }