Thread: why can't you assign a char to a char?

i've been using c++ for a while now, but I've never needed to use a single char variable. When I try to compare if a char equals a const character i get flagged for an error.

PHP Code:

char choose = '';
cin.get(choose);

if (choose == 'x') || (choose == 'X')
{
 .
 .
 .
} 


whats wrong with this code?

Code:

 if ( (choose == 'x') || (choose == 'X') )

This should not compile

Code:

 char choose = '';

there is no such thing as an empty character.
Kurt

thanks for the help. i just realized how much i suck at c++ still. and while i'm asking questions, would anyone care to tell me why cin.get(choose) isn't waiting for input? here is the full code

PHP Code:

        cin.get(choose);
        
        if ((choose == 'x') || (choose == 'X'))
        {...
        } 


that is going to the if statement before any input can be entered. when i use cin >> choose it waits, but i don't want to use cin >> choose because i only want one character.

Originally Posted by yahn

twhen i use cin >> choose it waits, but i don't want to use cin >> choose because i only want one character.

you can use

Code:

cin >> choose;

to input one character as well. But that should be the same as cin.get(choose);
If that doesn't work for you then it probably has to do with what you do before that statement.
Kurt

hmm. I thought cin.clear() would take care of it. I guess you have to use ignore as well. Is there a way to just empty the istream? I always thought clear did that.

would anyone care to tell me why cin.get(choose) isn't waiting for input?

Read statements don't have to wait for the user to enter input, unless the input buffer is empty. Obviously, the input buffer still has something in it left over from previous user input that wasn't read.

Originally Posted by yahn

hmm. I thought cin.clear() would take care of it. I guess you have to use ignore as well. Is there a way to just empty the istream? I always thought clear did that.

No clear() only resets any fail-bits in the stream. to empty the buffer you need to call ignore().
Kurt

hmm. i guess that makes sense then. well thank you agian for all your help.