For the record there was nothing wrong with the getFloat function. Here is the completed, working bmi program. I am certain there are easier ways to do this rather than spell everything out explicitly like I did, so I welcome the feedback. Either way, I am very proud of this first program I wrote!! 
For posterity, if you are taking Harvard University's CS50 course, don't cheat and copy this. Even if you're struggling like crazy, just stick with it, and approach it problem by problem and sooner or later you will get it... like I did.. and if I can do this.. ANYONE can do it. I am happy to help anyone out who is struggling with this. Visit my web site and contact me: www.boleroinc.com
Thanks all!!
Mark
Code:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <cs50.h>
#define inchesPerFoot 12.0
int
main(int argc, char * argv[])
{
/*First we must declare all the variables we will be using. "Float" tells the computer we will use real numbers.*/
/*We set pounds, feet, and inches to -1 for the negative # validation*/
float pounds=-1, feet=-1, inches=-1, height, bmiHeight, bmi;
/* Collect data from user */
do //here we use a DO loop so if negative numbers are entered, the program asks for the value again
{
printf("Enter your weight in pounds: ");
pounds = GetFloat();//here we call the GetFloat function that is in the cs50.h header
}
while (pounds <= 0);
do
{
printf("Enter your height in feet (i.e. if you are 6'4, enter 6: ");
feet = GetFloat();
}
while (feet <= 0);
do
{
printf("Enter your height in inches (i.e. if you are 6'4, enter 4: ");
inches = GetFloat();
}
while (inches <= 0);
/*We now know the user's pounds, feet, and inches. Now we need to get their
height by adding the feet and inches they entered */
height = (feet * inchesPerFoot) + inches;
/* Now we must square their height in inches to get their bmi height */
bmiHeight = (height * height);
/* Now we have everything we need to get their BMI */
bmi = (pounds / bmiHeight) * 703.0;
/* Now we will print out all the info we have gathered so far */
printf("\nYour weight is: %.1f" , pounds);
printf("\nYour height is: %.1f" , height);
printf("\nYour BMI is: %.1f" , bmi);
/* and tell them their bmi status */
if (bmi < 18.5)
printf("\nYou are underweight");
else if (bmi <=24.9)
printf("\nYou are normal weight");
else if (bmi <= 29.9)
printf("\nYou are overweight\r");
else
printf("You are obese");
return 0;
}
For the record, when I first approached this problem I was befuddled. I literally had no idea where to start. SO I started with something very simple. And from there I built it out piece by piece. This is what I started with.
#include <stdio.h>
#include <cs50.h>
int
main(int argc, char * argv[])
{
int weight, height, inches;
printf("Enter your weight in pounds: ");
weight = GetInt();
printf("Enter your height in feet: ");
height = GetInt();
printf("Enter your height in inches: ");
inches = GetInt();
printf("The sum of %d and %d and %d is %d!\n", weight, height, inches, weight + height + inches);
return 0;
}
Originally Posted by Adak
