array char q's

Hey guys I just started picking up c++. I have previously programed in python, and was a little confused as to the array syntax in c++. I am trying to make a cash register program. I want something like "hot dog" to correlate to 1.95. I do not want to make a new var for every item the user creates, so I was thinking I would use an array. How can I make an array to hold a word in whole. For instance "word[1] = "Hot dog";" and then how can I figure out that, "Hot dog" is "word[1]" so I can call "price[1]"? Am I even on the right track of thinking or what? Is there some method that I can search for, or look into?


Thanks,


Joe

You could use a std::map, which works much like an associated array.
http://www.sgi.com/tech/stl/Map.html

To make a word correlate to something, use a map.
For example:

Code:

#include <map>
#include <iostream>
...
map<string, double> myMap; //a map that maps strings to numbers.
myMap.insert("hot dog",1.95);
cout << myMap.find("hot dog");
...

Look for tutorials or books for more detailed explanation.

Originally Posted by avgprogamerjoe

How can I make an array to hold a word in whole.

To answer this part of the question:
Make an array of strings.

Code:

#include <string>
...
string strArray[10];
strArray[0]="Hot dog";//0 is the first element, remember.
if(strArray[i]=="Hot dog")
...

Or better yet a vector of strings:

Code:

#include <string>
#include <vector>
...
vector<string> strArray(10);
strArray[0]="Hot dog";//0 is the first element, remember.
if(strArray[i]=="Hot dog")
...

Same effect, except a vector allows the array to grow if needed.

Don't forget the std:: prefix for strings, vectors, maps, etc if you don't have a using directive.