Thread: Help im so lost!!!

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    5

    Help im so lost!!!

    OMG. Im taking a class, and Im so beyond lost here. I have to make a pattern that looks like this:
    Code:
    .
       *
      **
     ***
      **
       *
    as well as write a program in which I have declared variables that will hold an hourly wage, a number of hours worked and a withholding percentage. I have to prompt the users to enter values for each of these fields. I must then compute and display net weekly pay, which is calculated as hours times rate, minus the percentage of the gross pay that is withholding. After reading the 2 chapters in the book for this I was able to open a compiler, and enter a bunch of text that I dont understand, and didnt work! I do NOT want the answers outright. I need help to learn how to do it, and why its done that way. Please, Im desperate!
    Last edited by Salem; 03-02-2013 at 11:56 PM. Reason: formatting

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    5
    Im sorry, the pattern must be lined up so that it makes a "diamond"

  3. #3
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,656
    Perhaps start reading C++ Tutorial - Learn C++ - Cprogramming.com

    > Im sorry, the pattern must be lined up so that it makes a "diamond"
    I fixed it (perhaps).

    Draw it out on paper - preferably gridded paper with either a single space of * per grid box.
    What you're trying to do is discover a relationship between
    - the row number
    - the number of spaces
    - the number of stars

    > OMG. Im taking a class, and Im so beyond lost here.
    It's called raising your hand and asking questions.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    5
    Im having a hard time figuring out all the symbols, and what they mean. I guess I started this class thinking that I would catch on really easy like I did the website design. But its just not happening.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    5
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    Perhaps start reading C++ Tutorial - Learn C++ - Cprogramming.com

    > Im sorry, the pattern must be lined up so that it makes a "diamond"
    I fixed it (perhaps).

    Draw it out on paper - preferably gridded paper with either a single space of * per grid box.
    What you're trying to do is discover a relationship between
    - the row number
    - the number of spaces
    - the number of stars

    > OMG. Im taking a class, and Im so beyond lost here.
    It's called raising your hand and asking questions.
    OH, and just to clarify. this is an online class, and I have emailed the instructor. He has not gotten back to me yet.

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    4,183
    Quote Originally Posted by wendy8882 View Post
    OH, and just to clarify. this is an online class, and I have emailed the instructor. He has not gotten back to me yet.
    Call or stop by the Instructors room to ask for help in the real world.

    I have had instructors get weeks behind in reading their emails.
    I would wait at least one day before calling.
    And, find out his/her office hours before visiting.

    Tim S.
    "...a computer is a stupid machine with the ability to do incredibly smart things, while computer programmers are smart people with the ability to do incredibly stupid things. They are,in short, a perfect match.." Bill Bryson

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    5
    I cant visit his office. They are located in a different stated. The class is compiled of students from all of the colleges of this group from around the region.

  8. #8
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,656
    > OH, and just to clarify. this is an online class, and I have emailed the instructor. He has not gotten back to me yet.
    And the rest of what I suggested (you know, you doing some work), drawing the shape out on graph paper (or even a hand-drawn grid).

    All non-trivial programs begin with a lot of paper work (of all kinds) to help you figure out what is really needed.

    > I guess I started this class thinking that I would catch on really easy like I did the website design. But its just not happening.
    Perhaps you should drop the course then. Programming isn't for everyone, and if you just picked the course on a whim (and not a burning desire), then it really isn't for you.
    But if you have some interest in programming, then perhaps you should start with say javascript or php. These are a lot closer to your website design course, and would build on what you already know.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. Lost
    By Aparavoid in forum General Discussions
    Replies: 36
    Last Post: 06-13-2009, 03:16 AM
  2. i am a bit lost with this one
    By sjcc in forum C Programming
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 03-15-2009, 08:48 PM
  3. lost! need some help!
    By hockey1 in forum C Programming
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 02-16-2009, 09:58 AM
  4. So Lost! Please Help!!
    By xMEGANx in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-13-2007, 03:09 PM
  5. Lost in C
    By David670 in forum C Programming
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-31-2005, 11:19 PM