Data Stream Question

Hi Gang,
In C++, I want to query the user for a bunch of different variables. BUT, if they only hit enter (with no values typed), I want the program to keep the default value. Here is what I've tried (don't laugh too hard at my code, I'm a noob):

double ts;
cout<<"Time increment ["<<time_step<<"]: ";
ts = cin.get ();
if (ts == '\0')
time_step = ts;
cout<<time_step<<endl;

I know just a plain enter will not result in a null character, but I don't know what else to try. I've tried if (!cin.get()), then cin>>time_step. I assume a better understanding of how the data stream works in C would help, which is why I'm coming to this board!

Thanks!

If you only hit <Enter>, then a "line feed", with ASCII value 10, will stored in the variable.... thus, just check to see if the variable's value is 10, if so they may have just pressed <Enter>.... however, this obviously leaves the problem of the user legitimately entering 10 as their choice, as you'd have no way to distinguish the two...

Thus, I recommend reading their choice in as a string then converting it to a float using atof().... actually, I would recommend processing all user-input as strings then converting it as needed

hth

Can you convert strings to double?

AH-HA! I got it! Here is the solution:

char ts[256];
double n;
cout<<"Time increment ["<<time_step<<"]: ";
gets (ts);
n = atof (ts);
if (ts[0] != '\0')
time_step = n;
cout<<time_step<<endl;

Pretty cool, huh? I have to give props to B-Con and cplusplus.com

Hope you all have a good day. I know I will now!

hth, always feels good to solve a problem, doesn't it

Yes strings can be converted to doubles!!!