Hello! I have a question regarding the set up of my binary search. For my program I am working on, I have taken a .txt file full of first names and sent those first names to a string array. The names are then sorted, and from there I ask the user to input two first names of their choice. I would like to search for the two names the user inputs and let the user know how many times I found each specified first name. I then have the results sent to the last function, from which I display the results of the search. I have debugged the program and set everything up, but I fear that since I am sorta new to C++ that my format for the search could be set up better. Also I have set it up so that the first name is searched but I have not quite figured out how to get the second name or the results sent. For the results I mean whether or not the names were located and how many times the particular name was found.
Once again I appreciate all the help I have received, the way the help was offered was great. I was able to gather the knowledge and use the help to write the code in a matter that helped me understand it better.
I will attach the .txt files, my program files ect.....
Here is my header file:
// FILE: P1_NameSearch_Functions.h
// This program will cover strings, arrays, file I/O, pointers/references.
// OBJECTIVE: Read first names data & search for the corresponding user input.
#include <string> // Needed for string values
using namespace std;
/* This is the function that will be responsible for displaying the program's
introduction, main objective, rules, and a brief user greeting. */
void Objective_screen(string *pName);
/* This is the function that will return a Boolean value, which is checked
in main(). If the specified file can't be located, a message will be
displayed to inform user, and the program with exit. If the file is found,
the names[] array will be filled, and the total number of names that were
read are returned to the main() function. */
bool ReadFile(string names[], int &rIndex);
/* This function uses a modified version of the 'bubble sort' to sort
the names from the data file in a fashion that is requested. */
void bubbleSort(string names[], int &rIndex);
/* This function will use pointers and or references to obtain two names
from the functions and then pass the specified names. */
void AskForTwoNames(string &rNameONE, string &rNameTWO);
/* The array, total number of names, and the user's specified selection
of two names is passed to this function (SearchNames()). Then it
will pass the results (whether the names were found and how many
times the names occurred). */
void SearchNames(string names[], int &rIndex, string &rNameONE, string &rNameTWO,
int &rCount_NameONE, int &rCount_NameTWO);
/* The WriteOutput() function takes the values (User Input) that was
passed to the function, and displays the results as well as outputs
the results to the specified output file. The output file will
serve as a brief summary for the user; if they desire to open it
and read the information. */
bool WriteOutput(string *pName, string names[], int &rIndex, string &rNameONE,
string &rNameTWO, int &rCount_NameONE, int &rCount_NameTWO);Here is the functions:
// FILE: P1_NameSearch_Functions.cpp
// This program will cover strings, arrays, file I/O, pointers/references.
// OBJECTIVE: Read first names data & search for the corresponding user input.
#include <iostream> // Needed for cin and cout
#include <string> // Needed for string values
#include <fstream> // Reading/Writing file requires this standard library.
#include <string.h>
using namespace std;
// For easier access #define is used for file names
#define FILE_IN "FirstNames.txt"
#define FILE_OUT "FirstNames_Summary.txt"
void Objective_screen(string *pName)
{
// Declared variables
char ENTER;
// Greeting and introduction to the program
// Ask for user name and return string
cout << "\n AUTHOR: SELF EXPLANATORY ";
cout << "\n E-MAIL: SELF EXPLANATORY ";
cout << "\n CLASS: CIS 2275 ";
cout << "\n ASSIGNMENT: SELF EXPLANATORY \n";
cout << "\n -------------------------------------------------------------- ";
cout << "\n C++ U.S. CENSUS DATA MOST COMMON FIRST NAME SEARCH ";
cout << "\n -------------------------------------------------------------- ";
cout << "\n HELLO! ";
cout << "\n My name is Page, and I will go over the main "
<< "\n objective and instructions for my program. \n";
cout << "\n If you do not mind, I have a question...";
cout << "\n What is your full name? ";
getline(cin, *pName);
cout << "\n Nice to meet you " << *pName << ". \n";
cout << "\n This program will make use of input/output files for the "
<< "\n census data. This program will search the census data for "
<< "\n user specified occurences of popular first names. ";
cout << "\n This program will visually narrate the steps that this "
<< "\n program goes through to achieve the final results. \n";
cout << "\n TO START THE PROGRAM HIT THE ENTER TO BEGIN... \n";
// Waits for user's input before program continues
cin.get(ENTER);
}
bool ReadFile(string names[], int &rIndex)
{
/* This is the function that will fill the names[] array,
after the data file has been successfully located.*/
// Declared Variables
string filename = "FirstNames.txt";
/* Uses the 'open' member function of the ifstream object to
open a file for reading/input. */
ifstream FirstNamesInput;
/* Since the file name is a string the 'open' element needs a char[].
So, it is nessecary to us the c_str() function to give the string
in proper char[] format. */
FirstNamesInput.open(filename.c_str());
// Here we must make sure that the file was opened
if(!FirstNamesInput)
{
cout << "\n Opps! Error... Cannot Locate \"" << FILE_IN << "\"";
cout << "\n ----------------------------------------------------- \n " << endl;
exit(1);
// Returns the false value (or failure) in boolean form
return false;
}
/* Needed to make sure I count the words/names in the .txt file.
The &rIndex is used as a reference parameter to located the
total number of strings in the file as well as the first element. */
rIndex = 0;
while(FirstNamesInput >> names[rIndex])
++rIndex;
cout << "\n There are a total of " << rIndex << " names in the file. " << endl;
// Collecting data for the array and filling the names into the array.
// Returns the true value (or success) in boolean form
return true;
}
void bubbleSort(string names[], int &rIndex)
{
// Declared Variables
// This is used for a place holder of a temporary string (name).
string temp;
/* This loop compares the availible adjacent values, and moves the values around
untill they are in the correct order. In other word... it will help to properly
sort the names in this situation. */
// This is the first of dual (nested) loops
for(int i = 0; i < rIndex - 1; ++i)
{
bool swapped = false;
// This is the second of dual (nested) loop
for(int j = 1; j < rIndex; ++j)
{
/* This is used to determine if the specified array
element [j - 1] is larger than [j]. */
if(names[j - 1] > names[j])
{
// Temp holds value of [j - 1]
temp = names[j - 1];
// Array element is assigned the value of [j - 1]
names[j - 1] = names[j];
// Element [j - 1] is replaced by temp
names[j] = temp;
}
}
}
}
void AskForTwoNames(string &rNameONE, string &rNameTWO)
{
// This function will ask the user to input two first names of thier choice.
cout << "\n Enter in two first names, in CAPS, seperated by a space: ";
cin >> rNameONE >> rNameTWO;
// This was to be used if I had to collect both names into one variable.
// int index = rUserInput.find(" ");
// rNameONE = rUserInput.substr(0,index-1);
// rNameTWO = rUserInput.substr(index+1);
}
void SearchNames(string names[], int &rIndex, string &rNameONE, string &rNameTWO,
int &rCount_NameONE, int &rCount_NameTWO)
{
/* This is a standard Binary Search Alogorithm, slightly modified to be more
efficient with my particular assingment. This search takes a sorted array
of values, names, or character and takes the total amount or Index. Then
the total amount of items is saved, and the high and low values are added
and divided by 2. This value will be the middle and so fourth the idea. */
// Basic Binary Search Alogorithm
/********** Declared Variables **********/
// When ever low and high cross the process has ended
// HigherBound will begin by equaling the last index.
int HigherBound = rIndex - 1;
// LowerBound will begin in the very front of the Array
int LowerBound = 0;
// This will hold the average of High and Low
int MiddleBound = 0;
// Use as a simple boolean
int Found = 0;
// This will hold how many time we have looped
int Permutation = 0;
// Initialize Counter
rCount_NameONE = 0;
rCount_NameTWO = 0;
// Start of Binary Search
while ((LowerBound <= HigherBound) && (Found == 0))
{
MiddleBound = (LowerBound + HigherBound) / 2;
if(names[MiddleBound] == rNameONE)
{
Found = 1;
++rCount_NameONE;
}
else if(names[MiddleBound] < rNameONE)
{
LowerBound = MiddleBound + 1;
}
else
{
HigherBound = MiddleBound - 1;
}
// View whats going on in this loop
// This is just temporary to see if successfull
// If works properly I will send results to WriteOutput(); function.
cout << "\n The Search Was Run: " << Permutation << " Times. ";
cout << "\n The Index's Higher-Bound Value: " << HigherBound;
cout << "\n The Index's Middle-Bound Value: " << MiddleBound;
cout << "\n The Index's Lower-Bound Value: " << LowerBound << endl;
// This value holds the amount of loops (How many cycles)
Permutation++;
}
if(Found == 1)
{
cout << rNameONE << " Is In The List, " << rCount_NameONE << " Times. ";
cin.get();
}
else
{
cout << rNameONE << " Is Not In The List. ";
cin.get();
}
cin.get();
}
bool WriteOutput(string *pName, string names[], int &rIndex, string &rNameONE,
string &rNameTWO, int &rCount_NameONE, int &rCount_NameTWO)
{
/* The WriteOutput() function recieves the values that were passed to them
as well as the users input for the search and displays them to the
screen. This file also shows the user the output file for the results
and or summary of the outcome of the program. */
// Declared Variables
string filename = "FirstNames_Summary.txt";
// This will make FirstNamesOutput cast as cin or cout
ofstream FirstNamesOutput;
// Needed to open output file
FirstNamesOutput.open(filename.c_str());
// This is used to test if the specified output file exists
if(!FirstNamesOutput)
{
// Let user know if there was an error and/or no output file was found
cout << "\n Opps! Error... Cannot Locate \"" << FILE_OUT << "\"";
cout << "\n ----------------------------------------------------- \n " << endl;
exit(1);
// Returns the false value (or failure) in boolean form
return false;
}
else
{
// Let user know that the program has successfully found and identified output file
cout << "\n CONGRATULATIONS! ";
cout << "\n THE C++ U.S. CENSUS DATA MOST COMMON FIRST NAME SEARCH "
<< "\n Has Located The Data Output File! ";
FirstNamesOutput << "\n AUTHOR: SELF EXPLANATORY ";
FirstNamesOutput << "\n CLASS: CIS 2275 ";
FirstNamesOutput << "\n ASSIGNMENT: SELF EXPLANATORY \n";
FirstNamesOutput << "\n -------------------------------------------------------------- ";
FirstNamesOutput << "\n C++ U.S. CENSUS DATA MOST COMMON FIRST NAME SEARCH ";
FirstNamesOutput << "\n -------------------------------------------------------------- \n";
FirstNamesOutput << "\n ------------RESULTS------------ \n";
FirstNamesOutput << "\n USER'S NAME: " << *pName;
FirstNamesOutput << "\n USER'S INPUT: " << rNameONE << " " << rNameTWO;
FirstNamesOutput << "\n SEARCH OUTCOME: ";
}
cout << "\n To view program outcome/results open the following: \"" << FILE_OUT << "\"";
// Reading and writing complete, closing file.
FirstNamesOutput.close();
return true;
}
// END OF C++ U.S. CENSUS DATA MOST COMMON FIRST NAME SEARCHHere is the driver:
// FILE: P1_NameSearch_Driver.cpp
// This program will cover strings, arrays, file I/O, pointers/references.
// OBJECTIVE: Read first names data & search for the corresponding user input.
#include <iostream> // Needed for cin and cout
#include <string> // Needed for string values
#include <fstream> // Reading/Writing file requires this standard library.
using namespace std;
#include "P1_NameSearch_Functions.h"
int main()
{
// Declared Variables
string names[800], pName, rNameONE, rNameTWO, answer;
int rIndex, rCount_NameONE, rCount_NameTWO;
// Function for the Objective Screen
Objective_screen(&pName);
cout << "\n Data Contained In \"FirstNames.txt\" \n";
do {
// Call ReadFile() function to read data (names) into names[];
// The ReadFile() function will return a false if the file can't be found.
if(!ReadFile(names, rIndex))
/* This calls the bubbleSort() function from where the array names[]
is read and sorted via its values. */
bubbleSort(names, rIndex);
/* The function called AskForTwoNames() will use pointer and or
references to obtain two names from the functions. */
AskForTwoNames(rNameONE, rNameTWO);
SearchNames(names, rIndex, rNameONE, rNameTWO, rCount_NameONE,
rCount_NameTWO);
bool ok = WriteOutput(&pName, names, rIndex, rNameONE, rNameTWO,
rCount_NameONE, rCount_NameTWO);
// Ask the user if they would like to search names again.
cout << "\n Would you like to search again? "
<< "\n Please type answer in CAPS! (YES or NO)? ";
cout << "\n Please hit the enter key twice! \n\n";
getline(cin, answer);
}while (answer == "YES");
return 0;
}I will attach the .txt file that contains the names, but I will leave out the "summary file", it is basically self explanatory.
Thank you,
Page
