problem with switch statements.

Hello everyone.
I'm working on making a little card game, and therefore i need to be able to deal cards.
so im working on function to give you a card.
I tried this piece of code:

Code:

---

  switch (card) { //heart, diamond, clubs or spade 
    case (card<= 13):
        cardEmblem = "heart";
        break;
    case (card <= 26):
        cardEmblem = "diamond";
        break;
    case (card <= 39):
        cardEmblem = "clubs";
        break;
    case (card <= 52):
        cardEmblem = "spade";
    }

---

and it didn't work. so i read in Alex' book that the general syntax for switch statements are that where i write (card <= 13) only one value can be.
so my question, do i have to do this with else if statements?
Or is it possible with the switch?

Thanks in advance :D

No, this isn't possible with switch.
switch's cases can have only compile time constants , not conditions, variables or anything like that.
If you want conditions, use an if--else-if--else ladder.

(This isn't the first time someone asked a similar question about switch upon reading that book, I wonder if there is some deficiency in the explanation.)

he defined it correctly, but by reading it you assume this is possible. when you read it back, you see he clearly explains it.
also, i didn't read all of it in the book, because i thought i understood it already xD
Oh well, lets get the if statements coming then!

Have you considered something like

Code:

---

case ( card / 13 ) {
  case (0):
    cardEmblem = "heart";
    break;
 case (1):
    cardEmblem = "diamond";
    break;
 case (2):
    cardEmblem = "clubs";
    break;
 case (3):
    cardEmblem = "spade";
}

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Salem

Have you considered something like

Code:

---

case ( card / 13 ) {
  case (0):
    cardEmblem = "heart";
    break;
 case (1):
    cardEmblem = "diamond";
    break;
 case (2):
    cardEmblem = "clubs";
    break;
 case (3):
    cardEmblem = "spade";
}

---

---

You sir, are smart :P
Thank you :D

Beaten to the punch, so I'll enhance that idea to show the lookup-table way:

Code:

---

static const char *suits[] = {"hearts", "diamonds", "clubs", "spades"};
assert(card < 52);
cardEmblem = suits[card / 13];

---