C++: How can I update a variable

Hi, I've been doing C++ for about 2 hours now, so please don't confuse me much, i've been working on a small game to test variables and loops. I've got a woking script for now, but am stuck with the integers of a and x updating when both the character and enemy receive damage. I can do it manualy by adding more loops where with each hit, it forces the integers a and x to change, but for when I want to get more into it and add potions, exp gaining and stat boosting it will be a whole load of loops and will eventually get too confusing for me. So can someone let me know of how I can get integers a and x to continiously updates each time they receive damage, thanks.

Code:

---

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

int subtract(int x, int y)
{
 return x-y;
}

int subtracta(int x, int z)
{
        return x-z;
}

int subtractb(int a, int b)
{
        return a-b;
}

int subtractc(int a, int c)
{
        return a-c;
}
using namespace std;

int main()
{
 int x(100), y(5), z(10), a(10), b(5), c(2);
 string answer;

 for (int (x < 100); int (x > 0); x){
        cout<<"would you like to hit or block the enemy? ";
        cin>>answer;
        if (answer=="hit") {
                cout<<"you have hit the enemy\n";
                cout<<"the enemy has "<<subtractb(a, b)<<" hp\n";
                cout<<"your hp is now "<<subtracta(x, z)<<"\n";
        }
        else if (answer=="block"){
                cout<<"the enemy has hit you\n";
                cout<<"the enemy has "<<subtractc(a, c)<<" hp\n";
                cout<<"your hp is now "<<subtract(x, y)<<"\n";
        }
        else {
                cout<<"you can only hit or block, try again\n";
        }
        cin.get();
 }
}

---

To update a variable you usually use the = sign. Ex.

Code:

---

a = 50;

---

As for this for loop:

Code:

---

for (int (x < 100); int (x > 0); x)

---

Does that even compile? What's with all the int's? Since the 3rd part of the for loop does nothing, it should be an infinite loop. Usually you change the value being compared like ++x or --x or x += 5...

Um. Yes. Well, I don't know where you're learning C++ from (and don't tell me, because I want to keep it that way), but some things that they didn't tell you or you forgot to read:
1. Assignment operator. It looks like =. The value on the right is then placed into the variable on the left. For instance, the statement "a=a-x;" computes the value a-x and puts the value in the variable a.
2. Variables. Each variable is local to the function in which it is declared, so the x in main is not the same x as the x in subtract. (And, as an additional bonus in this case, that means that each of your four functions is exactly the same function. Exciting!)
3. Loops. I don't know what you think a for loop is good for, but that isn't it. I also don't know what you think int (x < 100) does, but that isn't it, either.

So: whatever book or tutorial you're reading, stop and go back to page 1/part 1. This way, you'll know what all the words that you are slinging around actually mean.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cpjust

As for this for loop:

Code:

---

for (int (x < 100); int (x > 0); x)

---

Does that even compile?

---

Yes it compiles perfect and works with looping, 'hit' and 'block', the only problem that I get, is if I use 'hit' it will display the stats fine, with character hp being 90 and enemy hp being 5, however if when the loop comes back to ask me again, it will reset and character hp being 90 again and enemy hp being 5 still. Similar if I use 'block' the character hp will reset to 100 then decrease by 5 showing 95, and enemy hp will reset to 10 then decrease by 2 showing 8.

So from what I can tell, its working but the variables aren't updating, I don't know how to do it. One method I read was to use

Code:

---

(x < 100); int (x > 0); (x++))

---

which works, but each time the character hp increases by 1 rather than continue to decrease.

that command

Code:

---

(x < 100); int (x > 0); x)

---

is just saying that, while character hp (x) is under 100 [the starting hp] and above 0 [or he would be dead] to continue looping.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tabstop

I also don't know what you think int (x < 100) does, but that isn't it, either.
stop and go back to page 1/part 1.
you are slinging around actually mean.

---

I answered the first one for you, and I understand what it means, it is this loop:

Code:

---

[for ( variable initialization; condition; variable update ) {
  // Code to execute while the condition is true
}

---

So its obvious that part of that, the 3rd portion is meant for the update, but I don't know what to do. The reason why I used that, is for the 1st portion which is meant for initialization, when the character gains xp or a stat boost to hp, then it will move onto the next loop accourding to the hp.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nekkron

that command

Code:

---

(x < 100); int (x > 0); x)

---

is just saying that, while character hp (x) is under 100 [the starting hp] and above 0 [or he would be dead] to continue looping.

---

No. No it doesn't say that in any way, shape, or form. I hate to say it, but no you don't understand anything you have written.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nekkron

I answered the first one for you, and I understand what it means, it is this loop:

Code:

---

[for ( variable initialization; condition; variable update ) {
  // Code to execute while the condition is true
}

---

---

At least you have correctly quoted something.
Are you trying to tell me that int (x<100) is supposed to be variable initialization? Are you seriously claiming that "x" is a variable update?
You used an interesting word in your description above--twice, in fact. That word is "while". That may be construed as a hint.

Meantime, two of us now have told you about =. How are you learning C++? What possible course of action could you take that would allow you to properly write functions (four of them!), but not use = ? I've changed my mind; I do want to know what book or tutorial or whatever you're learning C++ from, so I can point out that what you're asking about is covered in chapter 2 while you're using things from chapter 8.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cpjust

As for this for loop:

Code:

---

for (int (x < 100); int (x > 0); x)

---

Does that even compile? What's with all the int's? Since the 3rd part of the for loop does nothing, it should be an infinite loop. Usually you change the value being compared like ++x or --x or x += 5...

---

It'll compile. int(x<100) is interpreted as a cast from bool to int. same for int(x>0).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nekkron

So from what I can tell, its working but the variables aren't updating, I don't know how to do it. One method I read was to use

Code:

---

(x < 100); int (x > 0); (x++))

---

which works, but each time the character hp increases by 1 rather than continue to decrease.

that command

Code:

---

(x < 100); int (x > 0); x)

---

is just saying that, while character hp (x) is under 100 [the starting hp] and above 0 [or he would be dead] to continue looping.

---

the proper syntax for that condition is:
x<100 && x>0
The condition goes between the two semicolons in a for loop.

Quote:

---

Code:

---

[for ( variable initialization; condition; variable update ) {
  // Code to execute while the condition is true
}

---

So its obvious that part of that, the 3rd portion is meant for the update, but I don't know what to do. The reason why I used that, is for the 1st portion which is meant for initialization, when the character gains xp or a stat boost to hp, then it will move onto the next loop accourding to the hp.

---

Tabstop is right, whatever source you're using to learn C++, stop. Get yourself a book.

In the meantime here's a wiki link to all C++'s operators. Learn how to use them. In this case, -=, =, and both versions of -- are possible ways to decrease x.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tabstop

You used an interesting word in your description above--twice, in fact. That word is "while". That may be construed as a hint.

---

That.. was so.. awesome. I laughed irl.

Nekkron, you may want to hit the books again. The BEGINNING of the books.

PS: Use a "while" loop.

Congratulations, you have four identical functions. Absolutely 100% identical!

That loop you've got there would be of the infinite variety.

Would you be surprised to learn that 'answer' is the only variable in that program that ever changes value?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nekkron

I've been doing C++ for about 2 hours now, so please don't confuse me much

---

nekkron,

You are jumping-in head first and trying to write a program before learning the language. Enthusiasm is good, but this is going to get very frustrating for you, and for anyone here trying to help you.

SLOW DOWN! work-through the tutorial and get a good beginning C++ book. Once you understand variables, functions, loops, and if-statements, you can start to write interesting programs that "do something".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DougDbug

Develop your code a few lines at a time.

Someday I'm going to write an essay on this topic. It seems like a lot of instructors don't really teach how to approach a programming problem. This result in lots of frustrated beginners & students. Nobody... not even experienced programmers write the whole program before trying it out!

1- Start-out with a 'Hello World" type program. You can substitute "Hello World" with some better description of the program. :)

2- Add one or two lines of code at a time. Compile, test-run, and debug before adding more lines.

3- Add some extra cout statements so you can "see" what the program is doing, and confirm that it's working, before you're completely done. (You can take them out, or coment them out later.)

4- When you create a function, make an empty (do-nothing) function first. Make the function prototype, the empty function definition, and the function call. Then, test-compile. If your function needs to return a value, just make it return a constant (i.e. return 10; ). It's also helpful to put a cout statement in your do-nothing function like: cout << "Now in FunctionOne() \n"; .

Now, this isn't as easy as it sounds, because you can't just write line one, then line two, then line three, of your code. (It won't compile if you do that.) The trick (the fun part, actually) is figuring-out which part of code makes sense to work on next.

Compilers can easily get confused when threre's an error (or two). Sometimes they will point to the wrong line. Sometimes one real error will cause the compiler to report several errors. Link errors are even trickier to track down.

So, it really helps to test-run and test-compile after every one or two lines. As you gain experience, you can write whole functions before testing. But, as you gain experience your programs generally will get longer and more complex, so you still won't be writing the whole program before testing & debugging.

---

Haha, thanks guys, yes of course I jumped in head first, it's what I do whether correct or not you still learn from mistakes. DougDbug, I am writing it from the start, this is the beginning of the application, i'm intending to make one similar to a Game RPG system where after a while the HP will increase in total based on EXP gained. Anyway, I don't completely understand what was mostly said about what to use instead, but I do know of the 'while' loop, in my instance being;

Code:

---

{
  int x = 0; 
  while ( x => 0 ) {
    cout<< x << endl;
  }
}

---

I'm not sure I understand the 'endl' though, i've tried it and it seems to stop the loop, if I remove it the loop continues. Yes, actually where I got that 'for' loop was from this site, i've been using it to learn, and still at the beginning since i've had two 12 hour days in a row I haven't had much time to revise it. So it would make more sense to use a 'while' loop anyway since I only have to declare 'x' variable to be more than or equal to '0'. For another part then, iMalc, what do you mean when you say "four identical funtions"? Are you refering to these parts?

Code:

---

int subtract(int x, int y)
{
 return x-y;
}

---

Because even from my very limited knowledge, each function there is doing something different; they are all decreasing the x and a values depending on which word I use 'hit' or 'block' when I test it currently it works like I said. Unless of course you are refering to this

Code:

---

cout<<"the enemy has "<<subtractb(a, b)<<" hp\n";

---

Where again, each time it is doing something different, 2 are for the enemy and 1 for the character, and depending on whether 'hit' or 'block' are used, it would decrease the values by different amounts.

Anyway, i'm sorry if I don't need the long explanations, but it's helping me to read through what i'm writing to make sure it makes sense enough to understand what I mean. If a 'while' loop is the better option, which I will try out now, will that properly update the variables or am I still missing something?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nekkron

Code:

---

{
  int x = 0; 
  while ( x => 0 ) {
    cout<< x << endl;
  }
}

---

---

While loop will go on forever because value of x never changes. So x == 0 all the time, and so it continues to loop.
Oh and that's a syntax error. => should be >=.
endl is the same as '\n' figuratively speaking, because they do the same thing - print a new line.

For your functions, I'd say get rid of them. Just do normal +, -, * and /. The thing is also that just because you pass a and b to the functions, local copies are made and you never store the result so, it's kindof like this:

Code:

---

int a = 1, b = 2;
a + b;

---

See? You never store the result, so a and b will never change.

Thanks, thats starting to make sense now. Still a little bit puzzled about using a loop though, i'm still testing out various functions and what they can do, so hopefully I can find a way to do it all.

EDIT: I've found a use for the 'for' loop, and this script isn't meant for it, the 'while' works perfect, with some more addons i've done more functions so my new code is like this:

Code:

---

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
        string answer;
        string name;
        string e1;
        string build;
        int x(100); // char base hp
        int y(30); // enemy base hp
        int a(2); // char base blo.
        int b(5); // char base att.
        int c(1); // char secondary blo.
        int d(4); // char secondary att.


        cout<<"what is your name? ";
        cin>>name;
        cout<<"what would you like to call the enemy? ";
        cin>>e1;
        cout<<"what stat build would you prefer?\n";
        cout<<"build 1: +5 att. +1 block. +20 hp.\n";
        cout<<"build 2: +1 att. +3 block. +40 hp.\n";
        cout<<"build 3: +3 att. +5 block. +60 hp.\n";
        cin>>build;
        if (build=="1"||"build 1") {
                (b=10); // inc. att. +5
                (a=3); // inc. blo. +1
                (d=9); // inc. secondary att. +4
                (c=2); // inc. secondart blo. +0
                (x=120); // inc. hp +20
        while (x >= 1&&y >= 1) {
        cout<<"do you want to hit or block "<<e1<<"? ";
        cin>>answer;
        if (answer=="hit") {
                        cout<<e1<<" recieved "<<(b)<<" damage\n";
                        cout<<name<<" revieved "<<(a)<<" damge\n";
                        (--x);
                        (--x);
                        (--x);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
        }
        else if (answer=="block") {
                        cout<<e1<<" recieved "<<(d)<<" damage\n";
                        cout<<name<<" revieved "<<(c)<<" damge\n";
                        (--x);
                        (--x);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
        }
        else {
                cout<<"please use only hit or block\n";
        }
        cout<<"\n";
        cout<<name<<" has "<<(x)<<" health remaining\n";
        cout<<e1<<" has "<<(y)<<" health remaining\n";
        cout<<"\n";
        }
        }
        cin.get();
}

---

My full script, has 3 different character builds, and I'm still unable to work out how to update the stat variables based on which character build I choose, they all seem to use the first build. I think perhaps a 'while' loop with 'do' constraint would work, but i'm not sure. So more trial and error for me. But thanks for the info it works fine.

Code:

---

(--x);
(--x);
(--y);
(--y);
(--y);
(--y);
(--y);
(--y);
(--y);
(--y);
(--y);

---

You can condense this into 2 lines:

Code:

---

x -= 2;  // Same as:  x = x - 2;
y -= 9;  // Same as:  y = y - 9;

---

Your indentation still needs some improvement. For example, that if... it's hard for me to see where it actually ends because you've failed to indent the code in that block properly.
The rule is to always do indention at each new block (things that begin with { and end with }).
Now, as for the code...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nekkron

Code:

---

        int x(100); // char base hp
        int y(30); // enemy base hp
        int a(2); // char base blo.
        int b(5); // char base att.
        int c(1); // char secondary blo.
        int d(4); // char secondary att.

---

---

I'm assuming you're initializing these variables? I'd rather prefer to see int x = 100, because it's much clearer what you're trying to do. I almost mistook it that you wanted to write an array. So think about it a little.

Quote:

---

Code:

---

        if (build=="1"||"build 1") {

---

---

If doesn't quite work that way.
It's If (condition1 || condition2). That line might just give you a warning, because "build 1" is a const char*, which is always != 0, thus always true. Thus the IF will always execute. You should do if (build == "1" || build == "build 1") or something depending on what you want.

Quote:

---

Code:

---

                (b=10); // inc. att. +5
                (a=3); // inc. blo. +1
                (d=9); // inc. secondary att. +4
                (c=2); // inc. secondart blo. +0
                (x=120); // inc. hp +20

---

---

This does not do what you think it does. It assigns 10 b, 3 to a, 9 to d, 2 to c and 120 to x. If you want to increase it, just do a += 3 or a = a +3 (basic math!). And use better variables names. b, a, d, c, x... well, they just don't tell me anything that's stored in those variables at all.

Quote:

---

Code:

---

                        (--x);
                        (--x);
                        (--x);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);

---

---

I'm also confused, besides what cpjust mentioned, why you decrement those variables so many times. Also, basic math applies here as well: y = y - 10 or y -= 10.

Quote:

---

Code:

---

                        (--x);
                        (--x);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);
                        (--y);

---

---

Same here...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elysia

Your indentation still needs some improvement. For example, that if... it's hard for me to see where it actually ends because you've failed to indent the code in that block properly.

---

I don't know if the code was updated since you posted this, but the if statements look indented to me (albeit a little too indented for my taste).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elysia

I'm assuming you're initializing these variables? I'd rather prefer to see int x = 100, because it's much clearer what you're trying to do. I almost mistook it that you wanted to write an array. So think about it a little.

---

You're right, it is a bit strange to see this type of initialization for primative types like int, but as for classes, I use constructor initialization as much as possible rather than assignment since it just seems like a waste to default construct an object and then change the state right afterwards.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cpjust

I don't know if the code was updated since you posted this, but the if statements look indented to me (albeit a little too indented for my taste).

---

Sure, but look at this:

Code:

---

        if (build=="1"||"build 1") {
                (b=10); // inc. att. +5
                (a=3); // inc. blo. +1
                (d=9); // inc. secondary att. +4
                (c=2); // inc. secondart blo. +0
                (x=120); // inc. hp +20
        while (x >= 1&&y >= 1) {
        cout<<"do you want to hit or block "<<e1<<"? ";
        cin>>answer;
        if (answer=="hit") {

---

Indenttion is messed up because while is on the same level as the first if. And the second if is at the same level as the while. So indentation is messed up.

Quote:

---

You're right, it is a bit strange to see this type of initialization for primative types like int, but as for classes, I use constructor initialization as much as possible rather than assignment since it just seems like a waste to default construct an object and then change the state right afterwards.

---

But you can also do:

Code:

---

MyObject obj = myvalue;

---

Unless the constructor is explicit. It will still call the constructor.
For objects, it's usually a little better, but yeah... it looks kind of messed up sometimes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elysia

Indenttion is messed up because while is on the same level as the first if.

---

Oh, you're right. I didn't even notice that the while was inside the if block. I guess that just proves how hard it is to read when not indented properly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elysia

But you can also do:

Code:

---

MyObject obj = myvalue;

---

---

Of course you can do something like:

Code:

---

string str = "Hello World";

---

but unless the compiler can figure out how to optimize that, it still has to call the default constructor, then the assignment operator; so I prefer to do:

Code:

---

string str( "Hello World" );

---

but for primitive types I just use:

Code:

---

int num = 5;

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cpjust

Of course you can do something like:

Code:

---

string str = "Hello World";

---

but unless the compiler can figure out how to optimize that, it still has to call the default constructor, then the assignment operator; so I prefer to do:

Code:

---

string str( "Hello World" );

---

---

Well sure, but in that case it will complain, so you'll have to use the different syntax. When it's just one argument, it usually works fine!
And besides, string str("Hello World") looks much better and not as confusing as int n(5), so it's alright!

Quote:

---

but for primitive types I just use:

Code:

---

int num = 5;

---

---

Same here :)

Quote:

---

but unless the compiler can figure out how to optimize that, it still has to call the default constructor, then the assignment operator;

---

I think that only the constructor that takes a null terminated string will be called. You're confusing it with assignment, where indeed the constructor will be called, then the assignment operator, unless optimisation takes place.

EDIT:
Actually, I suspect optimisation is not possible with the copy assignment operator. One may have to treat it as a special case by providing an assignment operator that takes a null terminated string, but std::string has no such assignment operator, if I remember correctly.

EDIT #2:
Haha, std::string does have an assignment operator that takes a const char*. Oh well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nekkron

For another part then, iMalc, what do you mean when you say "four identical funtions"? Are you refering to these parts?

Code:

---

int subtract(int x, int y)
{
 return x-y;
}

---

Because even from my very limited knowledge, each function there is doing something different; they are all decreasing the x and a values depending on which word I use 'hit' or 'block' when I test it currently it works like I said.

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I certainly am referring to those functions. They do not do what you just described. Every one of them simply returns the result of subtraction between any two supplied integers. Trust me, all four of them did EXACTLY the same thing! Your limited knowledge, and intuition, were both failing you.

The only thing different between those 4 functions are the variable names for the parameters, which makes absolutely no difference to the compiler since it doesn't care about names.

nekkron,

Here's the thing about functions - When you "pass-in" a variable, you don't actually pass-in the variable itself. You pass-in a copy of it's value. So, if x=2 and y=3, then the values 2 and 3 get passed-in.


And, you can pass variables A & B into this function: int subtract(int x, int y). Once you've created your subtract() function, you can use it to subtract any two integer variables!

When you pass-in A & B, their values are assigned to new local variables x & y... The variables inside the function are are new local variables. If you have other x & y variables in your program, you can change x & y inside the function and the other x & y variables will not be affected by the function.

Code:

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
int subtract(int x, int y); //  Function prototype
int subtract(int, int);      //  Another way to write the function prototype
-------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
int subtract(int x, int y)  // Function definition
{
 return x-y;
}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
D = subtract(x, y);  //  Function Call. Passes-in x & y and assigns subtraction result to D
E = subtract(a, b);  //  Calls same subtract() function, passes-in a & b
F = subtract(a, c);  //    Calls same subtract() function, passes-in a & c
Z = subtract(a, 4);  //  Calls same subtract() function, passes-in a & 4

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

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As has been pointed-out, you don't need to create a function to subtract two numbers, since you can simply use the subtraction operator (the minus sign). There is no problem making an integer subtraction function as a learning exercise, but there is no reason to use it in a real world program.

A function is sort-of like a subcontractor. You use a function to do a particular job. You can use a function if you want to do something several times at different points in your program, and you don't want to repeat the same code over-and-over. You can also use functions to do special or complicated tasks. Putting these tasks into a function avoids cluttering-up your main() function with lots of details. And, if you are working a large project, different programmers can write different sets of functions.

NOTE - These are just the basics - This is not everything you need to know about functions! Most C++ books will have a chapter or two (or more) on functions.