simple problem: MenuChooserProgram using enumeration

Hi everyone, I have recently began learning C++ and have been reading and doing all the exercises in my beginners C++ book. I'm having some trouble with a particular problem and was hoping someone on this forum would be willing to offer some aid, whether it's an answer or a point in the right direction.

Here is the original MenuChooserProgram source code:

Code:

---

// Menu Chooser
// Demonstrates the switch statement

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
        cout << "Difficulty Levels\n\n";
        cout << "1 - Easy\n";
        cout << "2 - Normal\n";
        cout << "3 - Hard\n\n";

        int choice;
        cout << "Choice: ";
        cin >> choice;

        switch (choice)
        {
        case 1:       
                        cout << "You picked Easy.\n";
                        break;
        case 2:       
                        cout << "You picked Normal.\n";
                        break;
        case 3:       
                        cout << "You picked Hard.\n";
                        break;
        default:
                        cout << "You made an illegal choice.\n";
        }

    return 0;
}

---

Now the question is:
Rewrite the Menu Chooser program from this chapter using an enumeration to represent difficulty levels. The variable choice will still be of type int.



I know it's quite the simple problem but like I said I am new and could use a point in the right direction. I hope I can find the help I need here. Until then I'll continue to try different options.

Thank you all,

Tyler

Code:

---

//Chapter 2 - question 2
//Menu Chooser Program using enumeration
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
        int choice;


        enum difficulty {EASY = 1, NORMAL, HARD};
        difficulty myDifficulty;
        myDifficulty == choice;

        cout << "Difficulty Levels: \n\n";
        cout << "1 - Easy.\n";
        cout << "2 - Normal.\n";
        cout << "3 - Hard.\n";

        cin >> choice;

        switch (choice)
        {
        case 1:
                cout << "You picked Easy.\n";
                break;

        case 2:
                cout << "You picked Normal.\n";
                break;

        case 3:
                cout << "You picked Hard.\n";
                break;
               
        default:
                cout << "You made an illegal choice.\n";
        }

        system ("pause");

        return 0;
}

---

this seems to work. sorry if it's messy I just threw it together.

sorry for triple post.
I forgot to output the "Choice: " other than that I think I nailed it.

Enumeration is an integral data type (like int or long), which is used to represent consecutive constant numbers. Enumerations are defined this way:

Code:

---

enum MenuChoice {
    MC_EASY = 1,
    MC_NORMAL,
    MC_HARD,
};

---

This defines 3 constants of type MenuChoice: MC_EASY = 1, MC_NORMAL = 2, and MC_HARD = 3.
You should know what to do with them now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kmdv

Enumeration is an integral data type (like int or long), which is used to represent consecutive constant numbers. Enumerations are defined this way:

Code:

---

enum MenuChoice {
    MC_EASY = 1,
    MC_NORMAL,
    MC_HARD,
};

---

This defines 3 constants of type MenuChoice: MC_EASY = 1, MC_NORMAL = 2, and MC_HARD = 3.
You should know what to do with them now.

---

I do appreciate the help. :)

Firstly, turn your compiler warning levels up and pay attention to the warnings. Remember that the code executes in exactly the order that it appears here. Be careful not to get your cart before the horse.

Then you might want to consider actually using the enums! (*facepalm*)

I did not check for the replies before posting.

Usually data types are not defined within functions. You may find it better to declared it outside of main, in case you want to use it in a different part of your program later.

The first problem is a comparison operator:

Code:

---

enum difficulty {EASY = 1, NORMAL, HARD};
difficulty myDifficulty;
myDifficulty == choice;

---

Which does not assign any value to myDifficulty.

Secondly, the choice variable has not any value assigned yet, you would assign some garbage (if you would do).

Thirdly, you have not used your difficulty variable in any way. The switch case still checks 'choise' instead of 'difficulty'.

There is even more to say.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by iMalc

Firstly, turn your compiler warning levels up and pay attention to the warnings. Remember that the code executes in exactly the order that it appears here. Be careful not to get your cart before the horse.

Then you might want to consider actually using the enums! (*facepalm*)

---

the first code i put up was the original menuchooser program without enums. the objective was to make a new version with enums which i think i did in my second reply. I could be wrong I guess but It seems to work...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kmdv

I did not check for the replies before posting.

So what is the problem now? Usually data types are not defined within functions. You may find it better to declared it outside of main, in case you want to use it in a different part of your program later.

---

sorry, ignore what I said. I just saw your other post. I'll look over things thank you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by D1ffsta

the first code i put up was the original menuchooser program without enums. the objective was to make a new version with enums which i think i did in my second reply. I could be wrong I guess but It seems to work...

---

It works no more or less than the first piece of code did. The thing is though, that you're not actually using the enums. You've declared them, but you're not using them, which kinda misses the point.
They serve no more purpose than being documentary so far.

Oh sorry I understand now. hmmm... i guess back to the drawing board.

Code:

---

//enums try again

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

enum difficulty {E_EASY = 1, E_NORMAL, E_HARD};

int main()
{
        int choice;

        cout << "Difficulty Level: \n\n";
        cout << "1-Easy.\n";
        cout << "2-Normal.\n";
        cout << "3-Hard.\n";

        cout << "Choice: ";
        cin >> choice;

        switch (choice)
        {
        case 1:
                cout << "You picked easy.\n";
                break;

        case 2:
                cout << "You picked normal.\n";
                break;

        case 3:
                cout << "You picked hard.\n";
                break;
               
        default:
                cout << "You made an illegal choice. Try again.\n";
        }

        system ("pause");
                return 0;
}

---

does that seem right?

Nope. The whole point of enum is to eliminate "magic numbers" in your code, like 1, or 2, or 3.