Calling functions via variable

Ok, teaching myself C++ at the moment and have learned enought to get a text-based something or other going

Anyway, Im going to issue this game commands via the console. I have already gotten them to uppercase for recognition, but now I cant seem to call my functions.

I input my command:

Code:

cin >> command;

Then I convert it:

Code:

for (int i = 0; i < command.size(); i++)//make the command uppercase
        {
            command[i] = toupper(command[i]);
        }

Then I try to call my function(s), which are all defined.

Code:

command();

The error: no match to call to '(std::string)'
IDE: Bloodshed Dev C++


I tried using the '*' for reference but still doesnt work, even though I still dont fully understand the use of the asterisk...

Anway, Is there a simple way to get what I want done?

The simplest way would be to use a series of if, else if statements that compare the command string to a built-in string and then executes the proper function if they match.

Code:

if (command == "run")
  run();
else if (command == "hide")
  hide();
// etc.

There are also more advanced ways like mapping the string to a function pointer.

The 20 or so IF's was what I was trying to avoid, case select would work too, was trying to take the easy way

>> case select would work too
Not with strings, only with integers or chars.

The map version is actually not that hard, especially if your functions all have the same signature.