if statement in while loop

Hello, i am wondering if there is a better way to have this same thing happen with out butchering this code:

Code:

   
        //Race
   cout << "Race choices:  human, elf\n";
   cout << "Race: \n";
   cin >> race;
   cin.ignore(100, '\n');
   
   bool boolRace = 0;
   while((strcmp(race, "human")!=0)&&(boolRace == 0))
    {      
       if (strcmp(race, "elf")!=0)
       {
           cout << "YOU FAIL! \n...Race: \n";
           cin >> race;
           cin.ignore(100, '\n');
       }
       else
       {
           boolRace = 1;
       }
    }   
  cout << "Name:  " <<  charName <<  "\n" 
       << "Race:  "  <<  race << "\n";

Im refering to the "if statement" inside the while loop.
thanks
-Scott

Maybe this:

Code:

if (( race != "human" ) || ( race != "elf" )) // I refer to C++ strings here, not C style ones
{
   cout << "You fail!" << endl;
}

Yes,

Use std::string instead

Also, reevaluate how you are testing things. In plain english it goes more or less like this:

While race is not 'human' and boolRace is 0, if race is not elf, request for new race, else boolrace becomes 1.

I'm almost sure that is not what you want to do. If it doesn't work in plain english, it won't work in the code.

A better way is saying what you mean rather than that funky logic:

Code:

bool is_valid = false;

cout << "Race choices:  human, elf\n";
cout << "Race: ";

while ( !is_valid ) {
  if ( !cin.getline ( race, sizeof race ) )
    break;

  if ( strcmp ( race, "human" ) == 0
    || strcmp ( race, "elf" ) == 0 )
  {
    is_valid = true;
  }
  else
    cout<<"Invalid race. Please try again: ";
}

Read the statement in your head, like Mario said, it does not make sense ( your theroy ).
It should say to you:

"if race is not equal to human OR race is not equal human, then print YOU FAIL"

Always read a complex statement back in your head to be sure it makes sense