arrays within switch statements

**divinyl** · 07-16-2003

Hello

I posted a question on this forum about a similar issue but i still have not resolved it. Basically i'm writing a small app- the visual display consists of 5 circles and a Next button. The circles are grey to begin with, but turn red one at a time as you hit the next button.
I'm assuming that an array and a switch statement is the best thing to use for this, so have written the following:

void __fastcall TForm1::NextButtonClick(TObject *Sender)
{
int StateArray[6]= {1,2,3,4,5,6};

switch(StateArray)
{
case 1 : Shape5->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 2 : Shape4->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 3 : Shape3->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 4 : Shape2->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 5 : Shape1->Brush->Color = clRed; break;

}
}

The error i'm getting is that the switch selection expression must be of integral type. First, I want to know if i am on the right track above (more or less). Secondly, i understand now that the case statements need to be converted to int, but i cannot find code on how to do this anywhere. Any help MUCH appreciated.

Divinyl

**RoD** · 07-16-2003

All your answers can be found here

**codegirl** · 07-16-2003

Well, you can't use arrays in switch statements like that... The name of an array is a pointer to the first element of the array, and you can't have a pointer in a switch statement. I know you can use integers and characters and probably other primitive data types in switch statements.... Now I'm not sure exactly how your StateArray relates to your five Shape objects, but it looks like you just want a list of numbers to use in the switch statement. Maybe you could try something like this:

Code:

void __fastcall TForm1::NextButtonClick(TObject *Sender)
{

  int state = 1;  // Somehow set the value to 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5

  switch(state)
  {
    case 1 : Shape5->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
    case 2 : Shape4->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
    case 3 : Shape3->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
    case 4 : Shape2->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
    case 5 : Shape1->Brush->Color = clRed; break;

  }
}

Or perhaps state could be an index to your StateArray, and the switch statement could be:

switch (StateArray[state])

Is that what you're trying to do?

EDIT: I must type slow, looks like two others beat me to it

**RoD** · 07-16-2003

>>EDIT: I must type slow, looks like two others beat me to it

only one answered his question. I dont read code without the tags so i jus guided him to the tag information page hoping he'd use em.

**divinyl** · 07-17-2003

Hi- and thanks for the replies (and the tips about the code tags!). Well, i have received some help and this is what i've got:

<code>

void __fastcall TForm1::NextButtonClick(TObject *Sender)
{
static int State = 0;
numlist++;
{
switch(numlist)
{
case 1 : Shape5->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 2 : Shape4->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 3 : Shape3->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 4 : Shape2->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 5 : Shape1->Brush->Color = clRed; break;
case 6 : Shape5->Brush->Color = clWhite; Shape4->Brush->Color = clWhite; Shape3->Brush->Color = clWhite;Shape2->Brush->Color = clWhite;Shape1->Brush->Color = clWhite; break;
}
}
}

</code>

This works very well- each of the lights turn on as the Next button is clicked, and all lights turn off on the 6th click. However, i need it to loop through steps 1-6 indefinitely- the way it is at the moment, after step 6 (when all lights are "off") it stops. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Divinyl

**CornedBee** · 07-17-2003

The code tags still don't work

Read the first link again.

To restart the loop, set numlist to 0 in the case block for 6.

And remove the State variable, you obviously don't use it.

And you might want to split the code to several lines, makes it easier to read.

And you have a redundant pair of braces.

**divinyl** · 07-17-2003

thank you corned bee, and the rest. The program works well now.
Divinyl

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