comparing numbers, precision value

Hi

1: Suppose I'm given six numbers and asked to find the largest or the smallest of them. How do I do it? I mean what would be the syntax? If I wanted to add them I would simply write a+b+c+d+e+f, where a, b, c, d, e, and f are numbers. Please guide me.

2: How do I set the precision value - number of digits after the decimal point?

And by the way I'm a beginner and playing around with console based programs.

Thanks for the help and your time.

Best wishes
Jackson

1. If a is less than b and a is less than c and a is less than d and a is less than e and a is less than f... that would make it the smallest number. In other words, you could solve this with a lot of if/else statements. If you have a lot of numbers that you're dealing with, then you should probably look into using a good sorting algorithm. A bubble sort is slow but easy to implement. On the other hand, a radix sort is fast but takes more work to implement. Since you are using c++, you can use a built in sorting algorithm. See http://www.cplusplus.com/reference/algorithm/sort/

2. You cannot set the precision values. A float has a default amount of precision which is less than a double. You can set the amount of numbers that get printed after a decimal point when you do a print though.

Code:

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printf("%.2f", f);

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That will print a float value to 2 decimal places.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bithub

1. If a is less than b and a is less than c and a is less than d and a is less than e and a is less than f... that would make it the smallest number. In other words, you could solve this with a lot of if/else statements. If you have a lot of numbers that you're dealing with, then you should probably look into using a good sorting algorithm. A bubble sort is slow but easy to implement. On the other hand, a radix sort is fast but takes more work to implement. Since you are using c++, you can use a built in sorting algorithm. See sort - C++ Reference

2. You cannot set the precision values. A float has a default amount of precision which is less than a double. You can set the amount of numbers that get printed after a decimal point when you do a print though.

Code:

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printf("%.2f", f);

---

That will print a float value to 2 decimal places.

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Thanks a lot, bithub.

Code:

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#include <iostream>

int main()
{
        float a, b, c, d, Mean;
        std::cout << "Enter first number: ";
        std::cin >> a;
        std::cout << "Enter second number: ";
        std::cin >> b;
        std::cout << "Enter third number: ";
        std::cin >> c;
        std::cout << "Enter fourth number: ";
        std::cin >> d;
        std::cout << "The mean is: " << (a + b + c + d) / 4;
}

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I'm a beginner and have only programmed one program so far (and that too, with the help of others!). I would be involved in comparing at least six numbers. I don't know how to implement IF...ELSE statements in C++. Could you guide me, or could you provide me an example by comparing two or more numbers?

What is "double"? How many 'default' number of digits would there be after the decimal point when using float? How and where to insert this code

Code:

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printf("%.2f", f);

---

?

Please guide me. It would be nice of you.

Best wishes
Jackson

If you don't know what an if/else statement is, then you need to read some tutorials. Do a google search for "c++ tutorial", and you will find a lot of resources to assist you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bithub

1. If a is less than b and a is less than c and a is less than d and a is less than e and a is less than f... that would make it the smallest number. In other words, you could solve this with a lot of if/else statements. If you have a lot of numbers that you're dealing with, then you should probably look into using a good sorting algorithm. A bubble sort is slow but easy to implement. On the other hand, a radix sort is fast but takes more work to implement. Since you are using c++, you can use a built in sorting algorithm. See sort - C++ Reference

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???

What is this all sorting for? Just one loop checking for the least/greatest number in each iteration.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bithub

A float has a default amount of precision which is less than a double.

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double provides at least as much precision as float (float <= double <= long double).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jackson6612

Hi

1: Suppose I'm given six numbers and asked to find the largest or the smallest of them. How do I do it? I mean what would be the syntax? If I wanted to add them I would simply write a+b+c+d+e+f, where a, b, c, d, e, and f are numbers. Please guide me.

2: How do I set the precision value - number of digits after the decimal point?

And by the way I'm a beginner and playing around with console based programs.

Thanks for the help and your time.

Best wishes
Jackson

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See tutorials and you will learn alot about it... Good Luck..

The first step is going to have to be to learn about arrays. It's not practical to refer to six or more individual variables just to find the lowest and highest. With an array you can refer to the Nth value, and write very short code using small loops, otherwise you're stuck with a whole heap of wasteful copy and paste code that is harder to follow.

....
You got to start somewhere, but never say PLEASE!

While experimenting when you find examples with <iostream.h> type headers while experimenting (if it's only ONE .cpp file) you simply remove the (.h) from all header like so; <iostream>, than you test it.

Code:

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clrscr()

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In your first thread the code used a clrscr function. clrscr() is a presumptuous Borland fetish and MSVC has its issues too. For a new users or tester I suggest that you use DevCpp as your basic compiler, than use those others and force them to compile your same working source build using DevCpp.

Their website:
Bloodshed Software - Dev-C++

The download:
Download Dev-C++ from SourceForge.net

Anyway, make sure that you add headers that DevCpp included for you automatically if you miss one and it do it with-out your knowledge, than if it still don't compile, MSVC and others are only pretending () it don't understand. It's can be real trip sometime but now you know. They got oop's too ... "OPP'S" I'm sorry about that. I found the solution for that kind of thing, but that another story.

Bottom line, Borland and MSVC are good for testing and can reduce the size of your executable and they CAN help to insure more truth before production time ... than you use what you want :)

Anyway, I'll drop a few cool links and a few examples that can easily get you started before this week is out. Right now the old-lady throwing hints about she needs a new pair of shoes. Time to hit the bricks :)

Thanks a lot, everyone. I would post follow-on questions soon. Just wanted to offer my thanks.

Best regards
Jackson

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sharris

...For a new users or tester I suggest that you use DevCpp as your basic compiler, than use those others and force them to compile your same working source build using DevCpp...

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For off, Dev-C++ is not a compiler, it is an IDE, and an old one at that.
Don't recommend it to people not already using it. They're better off with a maintained IDE such as Code::Blocks or Visual Studio.
Dev-C++ also uses an outdated version of GCC adding to its problems.

Also, GCC and Visual C++ are good compilers and Code::Blocks and Visual Studio are good IDEs which can be used for real world production. They're not some hobby IDEs that should be used only to test things with.

jackson6612: What happened to getting a book?

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Originally Posted by Elysia

jackson6612: What happened to getting a book?

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Hi Elysia

You have a good memory!:) I thought you would have forgotten about that! Just kidding. Yes, hopefully I will get a book soon but I wouldn't be able to get that C++ Accelerated one. It is by some author named Laffore. Actually my friend who lives in another city has promised me to lend his copy for some time.

By the way, could you please tell me if I'm allowed to ask questions about the parts of scanned pages of a book I find difficult here on C++ forum?

With best wishes
Jackson

Quote:

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By the way, could you please tell me if I'm allowed to ask questions about the parts of scanned pages of a book I find difficult here on C++ forum?

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Making and posting copies of printed material here would be an infringement of the author's copyright, so don't post images. Also, I don't think anyone wants to hold your hand through the exercises. As long as you understand what your goal is, you should be able to ask a smart enough question that the exercise instructions are redundant information.

Posting images of pages in the book, but removing them shortly afterwards seems acceptable to me. It is akin to showing a book of yours to a friend.

But if the image contains required information in the first place, and then you remove it, the thread becomes pointless. It's like starting a thread asking a question, and then removing the question later when you have the answer. So that is stupid on top of it all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by whiteflags

Making and posting copies of printed material here would be an infringement of the author's copyright, so don't post images. Also, I don't think anyone wants to hold your hand through the exercises. As long as you understand what your goal is, you should be able to ask a smart enough question that the exercise instructions are redundant information.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elysia

Posting images of pages in the book, but removing them shortly afterwards seems acceptable to me. It is akin to showing a book of yours to a friend.

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Thank you, both of you.

I won't ask anyone to help me with solving the exercises.

Using a certain page(s) of a book at a time, in my opinion, doesn't infringe any copyrights, especially when the purpose is learning and research.

In the US it falls under the Fair use.

So, would someone please confirm me this? I own the book and have scanned some pages. I could upload them on Google Docs and post links to them here. I am not going to post a link to the entire book here.

Thanks.

What you do it up to you. I would classify it as fair use, as well, but we will not take any consequences of your actions.

Who cares about infridgements? And why would you want to scan the book at all. Just rewrite the sentence/paragraph which is unclear (I doubt there will be very long code listings).

Why scan indeed? Because it's easier to find, easier to transport, and doesn't take up physical space. 3 great advantages.

And 1 major disadvantage - scanning the whole book is boring like hell (I have always been too lazy to scan one btw.).

Sure, but you asked about why you would scan. There are 3 advantages. And I would think they outnumber the disadvantages. At least, IMO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elysia

Why scan indeed? Because it's easier to find, easier to transport, and doesn't take up physical space. 3 great advantages.

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I second what Elysia has said. This way one can carry his books anywhere without really carrying them!

By the way, I have no intention of scanning the entire book. Suppose, I scan a certain page and save it as a PDF. Then upload that PDF on Google Docs, then I wouldn't even need to mention the book title or author's name. I would just have to mention the link.

Regards
Jackson

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Yes, hopefully I will get a book soon but I wouldn't be able to get that C++ Accelerated one. It is by some author named Laffore.

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"Object-Oriented Programming in C++" by Robert Lafore is a terrible book to learn from on both fronts.

It doesn't teach modern C++ to the extent that you'll be comfortable extending the standard library and building on the model by the time you finish the book.

It teaches "OO" practices encouraging bad habits that at least would have you up to the review board explaining your horrible choice of patterns. I would fire you for them.

Seriously, fit for "Accelerated C++" if at all possible. You'll be way further along the path of quality C++ and decent programmer if you give it your attention.

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In the US it falls under the Fair use.

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Posting portions of a programming book in a programming forum for the purposes of getting someone to hold your hand is tenuous at best. That's an awful context to argue. I certainly would not call it "Fair Use".

And, I bet you'd get a thread locked pretty quick.

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Then upload that PDF on Google Docs, then I wouldn't even need to mention the book title or author's name. I would just have to mention the link.

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That only makes it worse.

Soma

May I say, me Queen, I was waiting for that one.

Quote:

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For off, Dev-C++ is not a compiler, it is an IDE

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I thought I got away with it. Many of posters get that confused. It is a IDE. Anyway, I hope to go GCC soon but as an IDE I thinking about Eclipse (java ide) because it is capable of running C++ as well as with a plug-in. This been my concern for a while but I also read somewhere that Eclipse has an issue to do something kind of special/needed but I did not read the complete review than lost the thread.

But as far as books, the INTERNET is d encyclopedia but not all is perfect just as in a book. You surf/live and you learn.

Btw, I'm soooo glad it was you who put me in check. Thanks

jackson6612, there is nothing like a great hard-copy. I give you credit at taking on C++ along. That takes guts for any kind of newbee IMO. When it comes to C++, on the INTERNET it's so easy to trip over it because it's EVERYWHERE! If I knew that before taking a C++ class it would have been a done DEAL! But I was a ASM hard-head (still is really). I still plan to drop some links to some nice tutes once I find them on my machine. Until than ...

Btw: I am new to C++ too, so all I say is not written in stone, but it do turn me ON. Just kidding :)

Good luck

PS: You can post a thread with *bit's and pieces* out of any book but not the entire chapter. If law has an issue with that tell them to lock-up Dollar Bill first :)

He will put your code and mys insides WINDOWS and kick you OUT game.

heehhee ... Not Bill but MS really.

O_o

"Dev-C++" uses GCC, dude.

Soma

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phantomotap

"Object-Oriented Programming in C++" by Robert Lafore is a terrible book to learn from on both fronts.

It doesn't teach modern C++ to the extent that you'll be comfortable extending the standard library and building on the model by the time you finish the book.

It teaches "OO" practices encouraging bad habits that at least would have you up to the review board explaining your horrible choice of patterns. I would fire you for them.

Seriously, fit for "Accelerated C++" if at all possible. You'll be way further along the path of quality C++ and decent programmer if you give it your attention.

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Hi phantomotap

Actually I'm trying to learn C++ along with someone. And that someone is using that book by Laffore as a textbook being used in the college. The 'teacher' who teaches there is a so-called PhD. You would be surprised at hearing this that he is making his students use Turbo C++ version 3.0 from 1991!

Is this Accelerated C++ you and Elysia were recommending me in the other thread:
Amazon.com: Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example (9780201703535): Andrew Koenig, Barbara E. Moo: Books

I thank you all of you for your suggestions and help.

Regards
Jackson

Yes, that does seem to be the book. Check out the positive reviews.