Question

I am having trouble using the cin method to acquire a variable. When the input is a number there is no problem, but when it is a special character like a dot [.],
the whileloop loops into infinity.
What am I doing wrong?

cout << "What is your race" <<endl<<"1.Human\n2.troll\n3.zombie"<<endl;
    cin >> *race;
    while(*race<1||*race>3)
    {
    system("cls");
    cout << "Wrong choice"<<endl<< "What is your race" <<endl<<"1.Human\n2.troll\n3.zombie"<<endl;
    cin >> *race;
    }

I searched for the answer and i should have to flush the buffer but i don”t get how to do it. I’m rather new with c++. Thanx

Answer 1

Make race an char, then you will be able do to:

while (*race < '1' || *race > '3')

which is probably what you want to achieve.

Explanation:

When you cin >> into an int, it converts given ASCII string to integer value. . doesn’t have an integer meaning, so it isn’t read into race and failbit is set – further >>s are no-op, until you clear them. However, if you cin >> into char and compare it with other chars (well, their ASCII codes, actually), you will be able to check it without troubles.