cout format as hex

I've been slowly working my way through C++ for Dummies 5th Edition and I have met a slight predicament.

The book told me to use

Code:

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cout.setf(cout.hex);

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to format the output as hex, but instead it printed the following

Code:

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iArg1        = 0x4660
iArg2        = 0x255
~iArg1      = 0x4294962635
~iArg2      = 0x4294967040
iArg1 & iArg2 = 0x52
iArg1 | iArg2 = 0x4863
iArg1 ^ iArg2 = 0x4811

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By a bit of googling I found that slipping in

Code:

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cout << hex;

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instead of cout.setf(cout.hex);, the program would format the output in the format the book had shown.

Code:

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iArg1        = 0x1234
iArg2        = 0xff
~iArg1      = 0xffffedcb
~iArg2      = 0xffffff00
iArg1 & iArg2 = 0x34
iArg1 | iArg2 = 0x12ff
iArg1 ^ iArg2 = 0x12cb

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I just wanted to ask if it was ok using "cout << hex;" as I would hate to develop any nasty habits this early on that would cause me problems later.

Also, would anyone have any idea why the method the book used didnt work? I even copied the code from the CD (I know thats the worst thing i could do while learning, but i was desperate :p) to make sure i had not made any errors.

I do apologise if this is a simple problem, making the thread a waste of time for anyone that reads it, but i googled and searched these forums and couldnt find a thing :(.

I also feel bad for my first post being a post asking for help.

Code:

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cout.setf(ios::hex);

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by RiPC0rz

I just wanted to ask if it was ok using "cout << hex;" as I would hate to develop any nasty habits this early on that would cause me problems later.

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Using it is fine.

Sorry, I forgot to mention I tried

Code:

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cout.setf(ios::hex);

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It unfortunately did not remedy the problem either. Does using "cout.hex" and "ios::hex" make a difference?

I am starting to get the feeling I made a wrong choice in which book to start with, if i've been using the wrong syntax so far.

Oops, forgot something, try:

Code:

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cout.setf(ios_base::hex,ios_base::basefield);

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Usually I use the stream manipulators in <iomanip> instead of the setf stream member function. I find it involves less typing. To each his own.

That done the trick, cheers mate. I really don't understand it at the minute, but i'll have to make a note to come back to that when i've progressed a bit.

Thanks again