Slight problem with grouping a set of numbers

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a code snippet intended to read numbers from a file, sort them into groups, and count occurrences. Key issues identified include the improper use of character literals in the switch statement, where cases like '0' and '1' are compared against integers, leading to no matches. Additionally, the variable nmax is not initialized, which could cause undefined behavior. Suggestions include adding print statements to verify that numbers are read correctly and ensuring that the code checks for array bounds to prevent overflow. A revised code example is provided, which incorporates error checking for file opening and uses a more reliable method to read and categorize the numbers, ensuring that the program functions as intended.
Cinimod
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For some reason, the code I has compiles, but it just doesn't seem to do what it should. The code I have atm, involves opening a file of numbers, reading the numbers, and sorting them into groups.

Code:
int nmax;               // This is the number of lines in the file
int i;                     // Index
float num; groups[15];

// File is opened - I know that's not where the error is
FILE *file;
file = fopen("log.txt", "r");

for(i=0; i<nmax; i++)
{
fscanf(file, "%f\n", &num);

switch((int)num)
{
case '0': groups[0]++; break;
case '1': groups[1]++; break;
/* etc... */
}
}

Any ideas why it doesn't work. When I use another loop to print the values of groups to the screen, all the elements of the array are zero. which I think is rather odd.
 
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First off, it would help if before switch()ing you'd printf out the value of num. That way you'd know at least whether the numbers are being read in correctly.

Second off, it kind of seems like you're mixing three different kinds of things. You're reading in a float, then casting it to an int (which is okay, but will cause you to always round decimal numbers down), but then in your switch statement you check against things like case '0' and case '1'? '0' is not equal to 0, it's a char ascii value and it's equal to like 65 or something.

Also I don't see nmax being set anywhere?!
 
Last edited:
Coin said:
First off, it would help if before switch()ing you'd printf out the value of num. That way you'd know at least whether the numbers are being read in correctly.

Second off, it kind of seems like you're mixing three different kinds of things. You're reading in a float, then casting it to an int (which is okay, but will cause you to always round decimal numbers down), but then in your switch statement you check against things like case '0' and case '1'? '0' is not equal to 0, it's a char ascii value and it's equal to like 65 or something.

Also I don't see nmax being set anywhere?!

Coin's answers is very good!

to Cinimod :
there are no case matched if you use the switch (*some type of int*)
than case: '1'.
note that: '1' is a char who's size is ONE BYTE.
and an int type always occupise FOUR BYTES.
they are obviously different!
 
Giving you code is not the best idea but there are several issues with your code.
This example reads freely from log.txt until it reaches either end of file or it has trouble converting the input. It does rudimentary error checking. It also assigns the group array in a more readable way. coin pointed out some of these issues.
Code:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#define NMAX 25
#define ck(X) \
  if((X)==NULL){ perror("input file error"); \
  exit(1);}

int main()
{
	int groups[NMAX+1]={0};
	FILE *in=fopen("log.txt","r");
	float value=0.;
	
             ck(in);   /* make sure we have a file to read */
	while (fscanf(in,"%f\n", &value)> 0) /* read until EOF or problems */
	{		
		if((int)value<=NMAX) /* limit check the values so you do not exceed array bounds */
			groups[(int)value]++;
	}
	for(int i=0; i<NMAX; i++)
		printf("%3d groups: %3d\n", i, groups[i]);
	fclose(in);
	return 0;	
}
 
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