Magneto's journey to becoming a C++ expert.

**Magneto** · 07-16-2005

OK, maybe not an expert but I'm going to give it a good try. Right the purpose of this thread is to consolidate all of my little problems/questions of which don't need a new thread each time.

#1
The problem - The program closes before I have time to see it in action.

The code:

Code:

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    char Matt;
    cout << "Please enter something for me to say: ";
    cin >> Matt;
    cout << "\n" << "Matt says: ";
    cin.get();
    cout << Matt;
    return 0;
}

So far I know cin.get() can be used to stop a program and it requires the enter, to allow it to carry on. I've used cin.get() in a simpler program (Just a text output) and it worked great. I've tried moving it around in the code, but nothing seems to work.

**mrafcho001** · 07-16-2005

im not a cin.get() fan but i think you have to clear the stream:

Code:

cin.get();
cin.ignore();

or this:

Code:

//replace those two with this:
system("PAUSE");

**Magneto** · 07-16-2005

Your first suggestion doesn't seem to chage the program at all.

Your second suggestion works to an extent; I run the program and type something then hit enter. It then displays the first letter of the "Matt" variable only, followed by "Press any key to continue. . .". I've tryed ending the

Code:

cout << Matt;

Line >

Code:

cout << Matt << endl;

Still no luck.

**mrafcho001** · 07-16-2005

because its a char, chars only store 1 letter..

use

Code:

#include <iostream>
#include <string>   // needed for string
using namespace std;

int main()
{
   string st; //string can store a lot more than just a single letter
   cout << "INPUT: ";
  getline(cin, st);
   cout << st << endl;
   system("PAUSE");
   return 0;
}

**Prelude** · 07-16-2005

Originally Posted by mrafcho001

im not a cin.get() fan but i think you have to clear the stream:

Code:

cin.get();
cin.ignore();

Those are backward. You clear the newline from the stream first, then use cin.get() to do a blocking read. That's assuming, of course, that the next character on the stream is a newline.

Originally Posted by mrafcho001

or this:

Code:

//replace those two with this:
system("PAUSE");

This is not a better option. cin.get() is the best portable option as long as you make sure to clear the stream state and discard any extraneous characters:

Code:

#include <iostream>
#include <limits>
#include <string>

using namespace std;

void clear_stream ( istream& in )
{
  in.clear();
  in.ignore ( numeric_limits<streamsize>::max(), '\n' );
}

int main()
{
  string Matt;

  cout << "Please enter something for me to say: ";
  getline ( cin, Matt );
  cout << "\n" << "Matt says: ";
  cout << Matt;

  // Clear first, then read
  clear_stream ( cin );
  cin.get();

  return 0;
}

**sigfriedmcwild** · 07-16-2005

Since Matt is a char variable cin>>Matt reads a single character from the stream.
When you use cin.get() to make your program wait before closing it if you have entered more than one character it will find stuff already waiting for it in the stream and don't block. system("PAUSE") will block correctly but since only 1 letter has been read it will only print a single letter.

Code:

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    string Matt;
    cout << "Please enter something for me to say: ";
    cin >> Matt;
    cout << "\n" << "Matt says: ";
    //cin.get(); // what's this for? 
    cout << Matt;
    cin.ignore();
    cin.get();
    return 0;
}

The above should work fine.
Notice the type change for Matt from char to string and the cin.ignore(); cin.get(); to make the program block after showing the input

[edit] bah beaten to it by 2 people

**Magneto** · 07-16-2005

Thanks everyone, you've been a great help. Isn't learning fun?

**dra** · 07-16-2005

Originally Posted by Magneto

OK, maybe not an expert but I'm going to give it a good try. Right the purpose of this thread is to consolidate all of my little problems/questions of which don't need a new thread each time.

#1
The problem - The program closes before I have time to see it in action.

The code:

Code:

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    char Matt;
    cout << "Please enter something for me to say: ";
    cin >> Matt;
    cout << "\n" << "Matt says: ";
    cin.get();
    cout << Matt;
    return 0;
}

So far I know cin.get() can be used to stop a program and it requires the enter, to allow it to carry on. I've used cin.get() in a simpler program (Just a text output) and it worked great. I've tried moving it around in the code, but nothing seems to work.

-"Matt" is a char variable, meaning it will only hold one letter. Change it into an array, or a string.

-Try not to use namespace std. It's a bad habit to form. use only things you will use. In your case that would be

Code:

using std::cin;
using std::cout;

-If you're on win32, just run your programs in command prompt, saves you the hassle of accidentaly putting cin.get() in the wrong place

**JoshR** · 07-16-2005

Try not to use namespace std. It's a bad habit to form. use only things you will use. In your case that would be

It's not a bad habit, it's preference.

**Dae** · 07-16-2005

Originally Posted by JoshR

It's not a bad habit, it's preference.

The only problem is that when teaching C++ most books/tutorials dont give you the information on why to use std::cin, or using namespace std, or using std::cin. Of course thats for good reason, being a little much for the first 10 pages of a book. Which means that most newbies dont prefer either, because they dont know which mean what, hence.. not a preference but a habit at the most.

I'd have to say it doesnt matter if you use 'using namespace std' since if you cant learn to change your habit to use 'std::cin/std::cout' later, then you're going to have problems learning anything in C++. Also.. its doubtful any occasion where you are going to have problems of duplicate cin/cout/etc., but still possible.. only if you make it possible though, so not a big deal.. at all.

Though the point is not that its a big deal, but that it is a deal.. its better to use std::cout to limit possibilities of problems, and thats what a lot of C++ is, eliminating problems, so its more correct to use std::cin in my eyes. Though doubtful it matters either way, in that sense.

In the other sense it is bad habit to use 'using namespace' becuase when making your own namespaces you will want to use name::name in order to know where your names are coming from, that are in that file. Thats preference, but I would also consider it bad habit not using "name::name" since its better to know where things are coming from in complex programs.

**~~ILoveVectors~~** · 07-16-2005

I agree, i dont think its bad habit or bad form

Just out fo curiosity Dae when did oyu start preferring it,
because in most of your post you dont use std:: ?

**digdug4life** · 07-16-2005

i was always told never to use

Code:

system("PAUSE");

stick with

Code:

cin.ignore();
cin.get();

**mrafcho001** · 07-16-2005

Originally Posted by digdug4life

i was always told never to use

Code:

system("PAUSE");

stick with

Code:

cin.ignore();
cin.get();

I didn't learn about the 2nd way until i was really used to system("PAUSE"); and well i dont really see whats wrong with it..

**~~ILoveVectors~~** · 07-16-2005

the program pause could be replaced with a malicious program,

anyways i had always used getch();

but i learned of cin.get() so i use that all the time now.

**Dae** · 07-16-2005

Originally Posted by ILoveVectors

I agree, i dont think its bad habit or bad form

Just out fo curiosity Dae when did oyu start preferring it,
because in most of your post you dont use std:: ?

I use it in my projects, where I actually think about my code and layout. Just like how I use Dev-Cpp for tests, and MSVC6 for projects. I use 'using namespace std' in any other code because its either just a test, or helping, which I dont really want to spend much time on, or explain std::cout if the person happens to have not gotten to the namespace topic yet and confuse them. See... 'using namespace' to 'name::' to 'using name::name', so I dont really consider it that hard to change habits so its really not something to worry about.

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