MHB C ++ typing censored for 'darn'

[adrumheiser]

Hi all, I am new to c++ and need help with my homework. I have tried many times and somehow cannot get it right. My following code works for 'darn' but when tested with "Dang, that was scary!," prints censored also. Any hints?

Print "Censored" if userInput contains the word "darn", else print userInput. End with newline.

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;

int main() {
string userInput;

userInput = "That darn cat.";

if (userInput.find("darn")) {
cout << "Censored" << endl;
}
else {
cout << userInput << endl;
}
return 0;
}

 

[johng1]

Hi,
Your problem is in the statement (BTW use the code tag to make your code readable):

if (userInput.find("darn")) {
   cout << "Censored" << endl;
}
else {
   cout << userInput << endl;
}

As in all of C++, if the expression userInput.find("darn") has a non-zero value, the if statement is deemed to be true. Now the return value of string's find method is the position (index) of the first occurrence of parameter target in case target is actually a substring; this can range from 0 to the length of the string-1. If target is not a substring, the return value is string::npos. This last value is actually -1, which is non-zero. So in your construct userInput.find("darn") is always true unless "darn" is the first few characters of userInput. This is definitely not what you want. So modify your if statement with

if (userInput.find("darn") != -1) {
   cout << "Censored" << endl;
}
else {
   cout << userInput << endl;
}

 

[adrumheiser]

It worked, thank you!