prompting to enter a name in a loop skips the name enter part

Code:

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        /* Prompt user for the employees name, hours worked, and hourly rate */
        for (x = 0; x < num_emp; x++)
        {
                printf ("Enter the name for employee #%i: ", x + 1);
                gets (emp_name);
                printf ("Enter the number of hours employee #%i worked: ", x + 1);
                scanf ("%i", &hours_worked);
                printf ("Enter the hourly rate of employee #%i: ", x + 1);
                scanf ("%i", &hourly_rate);
        }

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basically in the ouput it skips the enter name for employee n part and goes right to enter the number of hours employee n worked.

i know i am absolutely not suppose to use the gets() function so i think that might be part of my problem. but i need to enter a full name (like John Smith) so i dont think i can use scanf because it will stop at the first space.

so what can i do to modify my code so it will correctly prompt for the entering of the name and will hold both the first and last name.

when i used scanf to enter the whole name, if i put just the first name it worked fine. if i entered a whole name (with a space) the entire program would jumble up and skip to the last employees info being entered from that array.

help is awesome!

gets() is a problem, but you would get the same problem if you switched to fgets() (though you should switch). The problem is that the second scanf() leaves the newline in the buffer, and this newline is immediately snapped up by the gets() (or fgets()) call on the next iteration of the loop. You need to read and ignore what is left on the buffer until the newline at the end of each iteration.

so should i use fflush (stdin); at the end of the loop?

and i am still very new to this, but how is fgets() used?

thank you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kisiellll

so should i use fflush (stdin); at the end of the loop?

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No, as that results in undefined behaviour since fflush() is only supposed to work on output streams. Rather, read the FAQ: How do I get my program to wait for a keypress? The myflush() function can be adapted or even just copied for use in this case.

so the only way for the program to not skip over the user name entering part is to use the functions in that FAQ you posted?

i seem to believe there is an easier way to do this. i am in an intro to c course and my professor has not gone over anything with making functions like that and even suggested the use of gets().

is there anyway i could just use gets() in that loop? i am only asking because i do not want to over complicate my code for what is suppose to be a simple program in an intro to c course.

there are other methods, and i absolutely know yours would work. its just that this professor likes things done by his guidelines so i am trying to stick to them as much possible with this program.

thanks again.

o if it makes any difference emp_name is actually an array emp_name[30][10]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kisiellll

so the only way for the program to not skip over the user name entering part is to use the functions in that FAQ you posted?

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You do not actually have to use any of those functions since you just need to do what myflush() does.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kisiellll

o if it makes any difference emp_name is actually an array emp_name[30][10]

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No, as I stated, the problem is that the newline is left in the buffer. As long as you do not remove it, you next call, whether it be to fgets() or gets(), will not read in what you want to read in.

ok i got things to work in a method that is what my professor has sort of guidelined for us but theres one problem with the ouput.

heres the code now:

Code:

---

/* Prompt user for the employees name, hours worked, and hourly rate */
        for (x = 0; x < num_emp; x++)
        {
                fflush(stdin);
                printf ("Enter the name for employee #%i: ", x + 1);
                gets (emp_name[x]);
                printf ("Enter the number of hours employee #%i worked: ", x + 1);
                scanf ("%i", &hours_worked);
                printf ("Enter the hourly rate of employee #%i: ", x + 1);
                scanf ("%i", &hourly_rate);
               
                /* Determine the gross pay */
                if (hours_worked > 40)
                {
                       
        }
       
        /* Display the results for each of the employees entered */
        printf ("Payroll Report\n");
        printf ("--------------\n\n");
        for (x = 0; x < num_emp; x++)
        {
                printf ("%s\n", emp_name[x]);
        }
       
        return 0;

} /* end main */

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right now im just making sure its outputting the names correctly put there coming out like this:

John SmithJane Doe
Jane Doe

why would this be happening?

never mind the gross pay part, didnt mean to paste that in there

If your "professor" is teaching you junk like fflush(stdin) and gets(), then you need another professor.
Be aware that he's teaching you how to walk, by first breaking your legs.