C++ beginner's problem

[tightlines]

I need to write a program that inputs an integer and a character, and outputs a diamond composed of the character and extending the width specified by the integer. I can only use 'while' loops at this stage of the course, and I know it has to be nested 'while' loops. I can not use 'for/next' loops. I have done this before in VB6, so I am somewhat exasperated that I can not even get past firstbase with this same problem in C++. And I like C++, strangely enough. I know I would be better off thinking this out for myself, but at this point, time is of the essence and I need help fast.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[dragonB]

diamond like this?
a, 5


a
aa
aaa
aaaa
aaaaa
aaaa
aaa
aa
a


not quite sure on ur specs..



it cut out the leading spaces...but, you get the idea..

[tightlines]

Yes, but with the leading spaces, so that using your letter and number, it would be 5 rows, 5 wide:

a
aaa
aaaaa
aaa
a

The leading spaces is what is throwing me: the leading spaces decrease and the a's increase.
(yeh, this system is throwing out the leading spaces)

[Banti]

number of space will be equal to integer entered - number of current a's divided by 2

(i-a+1)/2

The +1 takes care of the case of the integer entered being even. Although it will still look a little funny.

Banti

[Banti]

by the way to get the

  *
 ***
*****
 ***
  *

affect use the [ code ] [ /code ] options without the spaces


Banti

[HyperSlug]

#include <iostream.h>

int main(void)
{
	while(0)
		while(0){
			//obligatory while statements
		}

	cout << "  *  \n";
	cout << " *** \n";
	cout << "*****\n";
	cout << " *** \n";
	cout << "  *  \n";
	return 0;
}

[HyperSlug]

ok seriously,

Is it a req for you to use nested while's ? I think it's a bit easier using just one while loop. (not to mention more readable). I assumed you're allowed at least one if statement. if not...

#include <iostream.h>
#include <math.h>

int main(void)
{
	float MaxWidth; 
	float RowCount, ColCount, MidMarker, yEquiv, xEquiv;
	char DisplayChar;

	cout << "\nDisplay Character> ";
	cin >> DisplayChar;
	cout << "\nEnter Max Width> ";
	cin >> MaxWidth;
		
	MidMarker = ( MaxWidth + 1 )/2;
	
	RowCount = MaxWidth;
	while( RowCount ){
		ColCount = MaxWidth;
		while( ColCount ){
			yEquiv = RowCount-MidMarker;
			xEquiv = ColCount-MidMarker;
			// (sqrt of FLOAT*FLOAT) is used to take abs() of a float
			if( sqrt(yEquiv * yEquiv) + sqrt(xEquiv * xEquiv) < MidMarker )
				cout.put(DisplayChar);
			else
				cout << " ";
			ColCount--;
		}
		cout << endl;
		RowCount--;
	}
	return 0;
}

There's prob a better way to take the abs of a float but i didn't bother skimming through math.h.

Dunno when your hw is due. good luck.

[tightlines]

This is what I finally did:

int main()

{
int width = 0;
char sym;
char space = ' ';
int count = 0;
int line = 0;
int w = 0;
int numChar = 0;
// get input
cout << "Enter a symbol, and press Enter: ";
cin >> sym; //Put the value in variable.

cout << "Specify a width in a whole positive integer, and press Enter: ";
cin >> width;//Put the value in variable.

if (width%2 != 1)
{ width++;
}
w = width/2;
count = 0;
line = 0;
numChar = 1;

while ( line <= w )//Start the line counter.
{
while (count <= w )
{
cout <<space;// display output
count ++;//Increment
}
count = 0;//Reset the counter for this loop.
while (count < numChar )
{ cout <<sym; // display output
count ++;//increase counter.
}
numChar+=2;//Increment by two for proper format.
count =0; //Reset counter.
cout <<endl;//
w--;//Decrement space counter.
}
w = width/2;
count = 0;
line = 1;
numChar -= 4;

while ( line <= w )
{
while (count <= line)//Start the spaces counter.
{
cout <<space;// display output.
count ++; //increase counter.
}

count = 0; //Reset counter for this loop.
while (count < numChar )//Start counter.
{
cout <<sym;
count ++; //Increment.
}
numChar-=2; //Reduce number of characters by two.
count = 0; //Reset counter for space loop.
line++; //Increment line counter.
cout <<endl; }
// code to pause the program. Will pause the .exe
cout << "\n\n\t\t Hit Enter" << endl;
cin.get(); // the program waits

return 0;
}

And a big thankyou.

[qball]

Oh, boy...

tightlines,

your code doesn't compile in Borland C++5.5.

HyperSlug,

Your code does compile and work, but you have a problem. It hangs (infinite loop, I think) iffin user just hits 'enter'. One should validate all user input.

[tightlines]

Yes, your right. Good idea, I'm going to amend it immediately.
Thanks.
I'm using Visual C++ 6.0

Originally posted by qball
Oh, boy...

tightlines,

your code doesn't compile in Borland C++5.5.

HyperSlug,

Your code does compile and work, but you have a problem. It hangs (infinite loop, I think) iffin user just hits 'enter'. One should validate all user input.

[HyperSlug]

true, i didn't really have robustness on my mind.

my old CS teacher told me to make the code good enough "so a monkey could bang on the keyboard."

besides, i figured tightlines would handle the error checking.

but you're right, all production level code needs to fail gracefully.

BTW, tightlines' code will compile if you put in a #include<iostream.h>

[tightlines]

I put in just about ALL the header files just to be safe at this juncture.