how to use case/switch with letters and numbers

Hey

I am trying to use a case switch statement to choose from a menu option but It will not allow to use letters as an option. If the user put in a letter I would like for it to say invalid option but instead it continuously loops.

Code:

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#include <stdio.h>

void playgame();
void loadgame();
void multi();
void scores();
void quit();

int main (int argc, const char * argv[]) {
    // insert code here...
 
       
        char input;
               
       
        do{
               
                printf("\n\n");
                printf("1. Play New Game\n");
                printf("2. Load Previous Game\n");
                printf("3. Play Multiplayer\n");
                printf("4. View High Scores\n");
                printf("5. Quit\n");
               
               
               
               
       
        printf("\nChoose an option and press enter:  ");
       
       
        scanf("%d",&input);
       
       
       
       
        switch (input) {
                case 1:
                        playgame();
                        break;
                case 2:
                        loadgame();
                        break;
                case 3:
                        multi();
                        break;
                case 4:
                        scores();
                        break;
                case 5:
                        quit();
                        break;
               
                default:
                        printf("\nInvalid Choice!\n");
                        break;
        }
               
        } while (input !=5);
       

       
       
        //end
    return 0;
}


void playgame(){
printf("\nStarting new game....");
}


void loadgame(){
printf("\nChoose from a save file");
}

void multi(){
printf("\nConnecting to servers!");
}

void scores(){
printf("\nHigh Scores~");
}

void quit(){
        printf("\nThanks for playing...");

       
}

---

Any help would be fantastic.

you need to clear the stdio from the jusk left there by scanf before calling scanf again

search FAQ or/and forum how to flush stdin (using fflush is BAD idea)

Note that break exits out of the immediately enclosing while, do, for or switch statement.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vart

you need to clear the stdio from the jusk left there by scanf before calling scanf again

---

No need to clear the stream. Just need to respond depending on type of input.

If an error occurs with scanf() (eg %d encounters character data that does not correspond to an integer) then the last character read is left in the stream, and will be read again on the next call. Hence the looping.

One option is to use the fact that scanf() returns the number of fields successfully read. So, given the %d format specifier, scanf() will return 1 if an integer is read and 0 otherwise. If it returns zero, read a single character from the stream and try again.

Alternatively, read the data as a string (eg using fgets()). Then interpret the string to see if it contains an integer or other character data (eg using sscanf()). If it contains an integer, act accordingly. Otherwise, if it contains some other character, respond as needed.

One point to remember: it is not a good idea to mix up method for reading a stream. If you use scanf()/fscanf() don't use the fgets() approach and vice versa. Each approach makes assumptions that the other violates.

Well here is an solution, in addition to grumpy solutions

Code:

---

    ch = getchar();
   
    if( ch >= '0' && ch <= '5' )
        printf("Numbers!!\n");
    else
        printf("Invalid input\n");

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But note this will fail when you try to enter more than one char. Like for example 'aa', '10' etc

And ch should be a declared as an int

-ssharish