Trouble figuring out logic for while/if loop in C - c

I have a some code, and the function I am having trouble with is this:
unsigned int getInputData() {
printf("Please input a positive integer number terminated with a carriage return.\n");
do{
scanf("%c", &input);
if(isdigit(input)) {
temp = charToInt(input);
rValue = mergeInt(rValue, temp);
}
if(rValue >= imax) {
rValue = 0;
printf("ERROR: That is too large of an integer. Please try again. \n");
}
else if(isalpha(input)){
rValue = 0;
printf("This is not a integer. Please try again. \n");
}
else{
printf("OK. This is a good number. \n");
}
} while(1);
}
I'm scanning in each char individually, merging it into an int. Which is exactly what I want to do BUT I only want it to print "OK. This is a good number." once when the user types it in. Example: If someone was to type in: 12345 I want it to return: "OK. This is a good number." once for those 5 char rather than once each. Hoping this makes sense, been at it for awhile so anything will help.

There's huge logic problems behind your code:
You loop infinitely without checking for end of input:
You say you want to tell whether this is a good number when the user inputs several digits, but you do only read one character at a time, and you do not define how a number ends.
Though you do specify to end with a carriage return, you did not design your algorithm that way, you never check for the \n character.
You define a return value for the getInputData() function but you do never return from that function.
You test whether input is a digit to update the value, but for errors you do show an error only if it's an alphabetic character.
Basically, to keep with the way you wrote your algorithm, here's another take:
unsigned int getInputData() {
char input;
long value=0;
do {
scanf("%c", &input);
if (isdigit(input))
value = value*10+input+'0';
else if (input == '\n')
return 1;
else
return 0;
} while(1);
}
int main() {
printf("Please input a positive integer number terminated with a carriage return.\n");
if (getInputData() == 1)
printf("OK. This is a good number.\n");
else
printf("This is not a integer. Please try again. \n");
return 0;
}
but I do exit from the infinite loop to be able to check the result.
N.B.: for the purpose of the example, I did not check for overflows.
N.B.1: I kept using scanf() to stay close to your code, but if you only want to read one character at a time, it is better to use getchar() which is way simpler and faster.
N.B.2: you can also simplify your code by using more features of scanf():
unsigned int getInputData() {
unsigned input;
long value=0;
int n;
do {
n = scanf("%u", &input);
if (n == 0)
return 0;
else
return 1;
} while(1);
}
You may even try to use scanf("%a[0-9]") which is a GNU extension. See man scanf for more details.

Related

Why does scanf enter a loop when I input a character?

I have to finnish a college project, and a part of my code is acting strangely.
The goal of that part is to get an user input of an integer and store it in a variable so that i can use it later, however if the user inputs a character I have to ask for the number again.
I used the scanf function to get the user input and put it inside a while loop to continuously ask for the input in case it's invalid.
The problem is that when a user inputs a character, the code freaks out and starts running the while loop without stopping in the scanf to get the user input.
It makes sense that the loop condition is always true but the strange part is that it doesn't stop to read new inputs.
I deconstructed my code in order to replicate the problem to make it easier to debug.
I know that there are some useless variables but in my original code they are useful, I just kept them there to make it look similar to the original.
I can only use scanf to get user input, despite knowing them, in this project I am only allowed to use scanf. I can't use scanf's format to get characters, only numerical types are allowed in this project.
C11 is the version of the standart we are using in classes.
I'm sory if the solution for this is a dumb thing, I'm not good at C and I'm having some difficultlies this semester...
Thanks in advance.
while (!verification) {
printf(">>>"); //write values in here
check = scanf("\n%d", &var); //input a number and store the number of valid inputs
if (check) verification = 1; //if the input is a number then the while condition should turn to false with this statement
printf("var = %d, check = %d, verification = %d\n", var, check, verification); //printing all variables
}
If the user does not input an integer there are characters left in the input stream after the call to scanf. Therefor you need to read to end of line before making the next attempt to read an integer. Otherwise scanf will try to read the same non-integer characters again and again. Here is an example:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main(void)
{
int ch, i, n;
n = scanf("%d", &i);
while (n == 0) {
fprintf(stderr, "wrong input, integer expected\n");
do {
ch = getchar();
} while ((ch != EOF) && (ch != '\n'));
n = scanf("%d", &i);
}
if (n == 1) {
printf("%d\n", i);
} else { /*n == EOF*/
fprintf(stderr, "reading input failed\n");
exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
}
return 0;
}
Don't use scanf() to read input from the user.
It's really only meant for reading data that's known to be in a particular format, and input from a user... often isn't.
While you do correctly check the return value of scanf("%d"), and could fix the case where the input isn't a number, you'll still have problems if the input is either an empty line, or a number followed by something else (123 foobar).
In the case of an empty line scanf() will continue waiting for non-whitespace characters. This is probably confusing, since users will expect hitting enter to do something.
In the case there's trailing stuff after the number, that stuff stays in the input buffer, and the next time you read something, it gets read. This is again probably confusing, since users seldom expect their input to one question to also act as input to another.
Instead, read a full line with fgets() or getline(), then run sscanf() or strtol() on that. This is much more intuitive, and avoids the disconnect caused by scanf() consuming input lines only partially (or consuming more than one line). See also e.g. scanf() leaves the new line char in the buffer
Here, using getline() (POSIX, even if not in standard C. Use fgets() instead if getline() is not available):
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void)
{
char *line = NULL;
size_t len = 0;
int result;
printf("Please enter a number: ");
while (1) {
if (getline(&line, &len, stdin) == -1) {
/* eof or error, do whatever is sensible in your case */
return 1;
}
if (sscanf(line, "%d", &result) != 1) {
printf("That didn't seem like number, please try again: ");
continue;
}
break;
}
printf("You entered the number %d\n", result);
}
The problem is you must discard offending input when the conversion fails.
Here is a simple solution using only scanf() as instructed:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int n;
for (;;) {
printf("Enter an number: ");
switch (scanf("%d", &n)) {
case 1:
/* successful conversion */
printf("The number is %d\n", n);
return 0;
case 0:
/* conversion failure: discard the rest of the line */
scanf("*[^\n]"); // discard characters before the newline if any
scanf("*1[\n]"); // optional: discard the newline if present
printf("Invalid input. Try again\n");
continue;
case EOF:
/* input failure */
printf("Premature end of file\n");
return 1;
}
}
}

Query user to continue printing in C

I am writing a program that starts printing at 0.
It prints up to 15 and asks the user a y/n question.
if y that program prints next 15.
if n program stops.
The program I wrote does not work.
Help solving this.
int main()
{
int i=0,k=1;
char ans;
while(k=1)
{
i++;
printf("\n%d",i);
if(i%15==0)
{
printf("\nDo you want to continue?(y/n): ");
scanf("%c",ans);
ans = toupper(ans);
if(ans=='Y') {
continue;
}
else if(ans=='N') {
k=0;
}
}
}
}
----------------------------------EDIT-------------------------------------
changed the code as #Programmer400. Also 15-->3. Now my computer prints
1
2
3
Do you want to continue?(y/n): y
4
5
6
Do you want to continue?(y/n):
7
8
9
Do you want to continue?(y/n): y
First it prints till 3 and asks. After Y, it prints till 6 and asks and then without any input prints till 9 and asks. Note the missing y in the 2nd question.
I have provided a working C program below that performs the tasks you specified in your question.
I have taken an effort to stay true to the functions that you used in your original code sample and I have also taken care to only make additions (not remove code).
In the comments, I have explained lines of code that I have added that were not in your original code sample.
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void)
{
int i = 0, k = 1;
char user_input;
char ans;
while(k == 1)
{
i++;
printf("%d\n", i);
if (i % 15 == 0)
{
printf("Do you want to continue? (y/n/Y/N): ");
scanf(" %c",&user_input); // Keep the whitespace in front of the %c format specifier -- it's important!
getchar(); // Consume the newline character left in the buffer by scanf()
// Check if user input is already capitalized
if (user_input >= 65 && user_input <= 90)
// If it is, keep it capitalized
ans = user_input;
else
// If it isn't, capitalize it
ans = toupper(user_input);
if (ans=='Y')
{
// Allow the loop to continue
continue;
}
else if (ans == 'N')
{
// Inform the user that execution is ending
printf("Exiting loop... ending program.\n");
// Consider removing 'k' entirely, just use a 'break' statement
k = 0;
}
else
{
// Inform the user that the input was not recognized (if not y/n/Y/N...)
printf("User input not recognized... please provide input again.\n");
// Decrement 'i' so that the user is forced to provide input again...
i--;
// Allow the loop to continue
continue;
}
}
}
}
Helpful notes:
scanf leaves a newline character in the buffer when you are reading user input with character formatters. Namely...
%c, %n, and %[] are the 3 specified expectations that do not consume leading whitespace
-- From a comment on this StackOverflow answer.
Keep in mind that if you would like to exit your while loop, you could simply insert a break statement. This way, you don't have to change the value of k (which is rather ambiguous) to end the loop and the code is more readable because an explicit break statement is harder to misinterpret. In this simple case, the use of k is easily understood (so don't worry about it too much, for now).
If you ever intend to read string input from a user (i.e., an array of characters), then I would recommend that you use fgets() instead of scanf(). A discussion of the merits of fgets() in comparison to scanf() is provided in this StackOverflow answer. Further, it is important to recognize that even though you can use gets() to perform a similar operation it is highly dangerous and never advised. Check out the explanations provided by the top two answers to this StackOverflow question.
I tried changing your code so that it doesn't generate warnings, now it seems to "work" (but maybe it can be even more correct).
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include <ctype.h>
int main()
{
int i=0,k=1;;
char c;
char ans[] = "";
while(k==1)
{
i++;
printf("\n%d",i);
if(i%15==0)
{
printf("\nDo you want to continue?(y/n): ");
scanf(" %c",ans);
ans[0] = (char) toupper(ans[0]);
if(ans[0]=='Y') {
continue;
}
else if(ans[0]=='N') {
k=0;
}
}
}
}

How to enter a letter to quit a program in C

I am new to C programming. I have been writing this code to add numbers and I just need help with this one thing. When I type the letter 'q', the program should quit and give me the sum. How am I supposed to do that? It is currently the number 0 to close the program.
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
printf("Sum Calculator\n");
printf("==============\n");
printf("Enter the numbers you would like to calculate the sum of.\n");
printf("When done, type '0' to output the results and quit.\n");
float sum,num;
do
{
printf("Enter a number:");
scanf("%f",&num);
sum+=num;
}
while (num!=0);
printf("The sum of the numbers is %.6f\n",sum);
return 0;
}
One approach would be to change your scanf line to:
if ( 1 != scanf("%f",&num) )
break;
This will exit the loop if they enter anything which is not recognizable as a number.
Whether or not you take this approach, it is still a good idea to check the return value of scanf and take appropriate action if failed. As you have it now, if they enter some text instead of a number then your program goes into an infinite loop since the scanf continually fails without consuming input.
It's actually not as straightforward as you'd think it would be. One approach is to check the value returned by scanf, which returns the number of arguments correctly read, and if the number wasn't successfully read, try another scanf to look for the quit character:
bool quit = false;
do
{
printf("Enter a number:");
int numArgsRead = scanf("%f",&num);
if(numArgsRead == 1)
{
sum+=num;
}
else // scan for number failed
{
char c;
scanf("%c",&c);
if(c == 'q') quit = true;
}
}
while (!quit);
If you want your program to ignore other inputs (like another letter wouldn't quit) it gets more complicated.
The first solution would be to read the input as a character string, compare it to your character and then convert it to a number later. However, it has many issues such as buffer overflows and the like. So I'm not recommending it.
There is however a better solution for this:
char quit;
do
{
printf("Enter a number:");
quit=getchar();
ungetc(quit, stdin);
if(scanf("%f", &num))
sum+=num;
}
while (quit!='q')
ungetc pushes back the character on the input so it allows you to "peek" at the console input and check for a specific value.
You can replace it with a different character but in this case it is probably the easiest solution that fits exactly what you asked. It won't try to add numbers when the input is incorrect and will quit only with q.
#Shura
scan the user input as a string.
check string[0] for the exit condition. q in your case
If exit condition is met, break
If exit condition is not met, use atof() to convert the string to double
atof() reference http://www.cplusplus.com/reference/cstdlib/atof/

scanf() to iterate through an unknown quantity of integers

So I'm trying to find the sum of an unknown amount of user-input numbers. Here's my code
int main()
{
int tmp1 = 1;
int tmp2 = 1;
int total = 0;
printf("Enter numbers for a sum: ");
tmp2 = scanf(" %d", &tmp1);
while(tmp2 > 0){
total+=tmp1;
tmp2 = scanf(" %d", &tmp1);
}
printf("total is %d", total);
return 0;
}
It gets stuck in an endless loop, and then once i hit ctrl-c to end it, it prints the correct sum. So what I'm doing wrong is how will i know when it's done scanning all the integers, and for the loop to end; since i'm not doing it correctly now
Decided to make it stop via ctrl d, and its acceptable. thanks
In your question, it is not clear how you expect your programme to understand that there won't be anymore numbers to input. Shall it be through a specific character? Or shall it just get a line of space-separated numbers and respond with a sum?
From your code, my most sensible guess is: You want it to understand that there won't be any more numbers to add, whenever it encounters a non-digital character. My guess is so, because this is almost exactly what your code does by checking the return value from scanf.
First of all, you have to change that tmp inside your loop into tmp1 because there isn't such a variable as tmp declared. edit: well, never mind
Then try running your programme, putting in any amount of white-space (space, tab or new-line) separated numbers, and then any non-digital character you like. May be a T for example, or ThoAppelsin, it won't matter. Programme won't get beyond the first character, in fact, not even beyond the first character. After that, you shall see that the numbers have been properly added together.
Since you're confused about a non-existent infinite-loop, my second guess is that you might be actually hoping it to get a single line of space-delimited numbers, and have the sum printed; and misinterpret your programme as "in infinite loop" while it merely expects further input from you, just like it does at the very beginning.
You won't get a 0 from non-redirected scanf("%d", &var);, unless you feed it with something that doesn't match to the format string to cause abnormal termination. If there's nothing left in the input stream to consume, it will just wait for more input. But say you give an 'a' to it, then all it can do is to give up and return zero, because it couldn't do a single assignment.
If you really are hoping to have a single line of numbers, then the minimal change I could offer would be something like this:
int main(void)
{
int tmp1 = 1;
char tmp2 = 0;
int total = 0;
printf("Enter numbers for a sum: ");
scanf("%d%c", &tmp1, &tmp2);
while(tmp2 == ' '){
total+=tmp1;
scanf("%d%c", &tmp1, &tmp2);
}
printf("total is %d", total);
return 0;
}
Of course, this approach has many vulnerabilities. However, if user is to input strictly a sequence like:
3 66 2 10 6
// mind the new-line
It will work fine. But if I'm allowed to change more than minimal, this is how I would do it:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <ctype.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main(void)
{
int LastNumber = 0;
int UpcomingCharacter = 0;
int Total = 0;
printf("Enter numbers for a sum: ");
while(scanf("%d%*[ \t]", &LastNumber) == 1)
{
Total += LastNumber;
UpcomingCharacter = getchar( );
if (!isdigit(UpcomingCharacter)) // eliminates a possible EOF return as well
break;
if (ungetch(UpcomingCharacter, stdin) != UpcomingCharacter)
{
fprintf(stderr, "%d: unexpected error with ungetch\n", __LINE__);
return EXIT_FAILURE;
}
}
printf("total is %d", Total);
return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}
Which should work fine on any whitespace-delimited sequence of numbers, excluding the new-lines of course.

do-while loop "enter more (y/n)" - character issue

So I'm working on basic C skills, and I want to design a code which enters as many numbers as the user wants. Then, it should display the count of positive,negative & zero integers entered.
I've searched Google & StackOverflow. The code seems fine according to those programs.
It compiles & runs. But whenever I input anything after the prompt "enter more? y/n", it returns to the code..
Please have a look at the code below:
#include<stdio.h>
int main()
{
int no,count_neg=0,count_pos=0,count_zero=0;
char ch='y';
clrscr();
do
{
puts("Enter number");
scanf("%d",&no);
if (no>0)
count_pos++;
else if (no<0)
count_neg++;
else
count_zero++;
puts("want more? - y/n ");
scanf("%c",&ch);
}
while (ch=='y');
if (ch=='n')
{
printf("No of positives = %d",count_pos);
printf("No of negatives = %d",count_neg);
printf("No of zeros = %d",count_zero);
}
getch();
return 0;
}
The problem is with "scanf("%c", &ch);"
What happens actually is :
Suppose you enter 'y' as a choice and hit 'enter'(return), the return is a character and
its character value is 10(since its a new line character), thus the scanf takes the 'return'
as its input and continues.
Solution :
1. use getchar() before scanf()
// your code
getchar();
scanf();
//your code
getchar() takes the return value as its input, thus you are left with your actual value.
add '\n' to scnaf()
// code
scanf("\n%c", &ch);
//code
when scanf() encounters the '\n' character it skips it (google about scanf, to know how
and why ), thus stores the intended value inside 'ch'.
A "better" form for:
int main()
is:
int main(void)
clrscr is not standard C.
You ought to check the return-value of any function which might indicate "interesting status," such as a failure condition, and from which you can gracefully deal with the situation. In this case, scanf is such a function.
I believe that your first do ... while condition will become false because it will pick up the newline character following your first scanf call. You might want to read about getchar or getc, instead of using scanf for the task of checking whether or not to run the loop again. You can "eat" unwanted characters, including a newline.
Here, I have corrected the problem. The problem was this that the "enter" you press after each number is a character and is takenup by the scanf() as it is there to scan some characters. So I have added a getchar(); before the scanf();so the "enter" is taken up by getchar(); and scanf() is now free to take your input.
#include<stdio.h>
int main()
{
int no,count_neg=0,count_pos=0,count_zero=0;
char ch='y';
clrscr();
do
{
puts("Enter number");
scanf("%d",&no);
if(no>0)
count_pos++;
else if(no<0)
count_neg++;
else
count_zero++;
puts("want more? - y/n ");
getchar();//<---- add this here
scanf("%c",&ch);
}
while(ch=='y');
if(ch=='n')
{
printf("No of positives = %d",count_pos);
printf("No of negatives = %d",count_neg);
printf("No of zeros = %d",count_zero);
}
getch();
return 0;
}
To fix the input is to use a C String like this scanf("%s",...);
This might break if you input more than one character because scanf will keep reading until the user hits enter, and your ch variable is only enough space for one character.
I run your code in Online compiler. I am not sure about other compiler.
I slightly changed your code. i.e., first i read char then int. If i do not change the order, char variable holds int variable value. This is the reason ( ch variable holds values of no variable).
#include<stdio.h>
int main()
{
int no,count_neg=0,count_pos=0,count_zero=0;
char ch='y';
do
{
puts("Enter number");
scanf("%c",&ch);
scanf("%d",&no);
if(no>0)
count_pos++;
else if(no<0)
count_neg++;
else
count_zero++;
puts("want more? - y/n ");
}
while(ch=='y');
if(ch=='n')
{
printf("No of positives = %d",count_pos);
printf("No of negatives = %d",count_neg);
printf("No of zeros = %d",count_zero);
}
return 0;
}
EDIT:
whenever integer and char are read through keyboard. it stores int value and enter key value. so this is the reason.
You have to add
scanf("%d",&no);
you code
......
.....
fflush(stdin);
scanf("%c",&ch);
use:
ch = getche();
instead of:
scanf("%c", &ch);

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