Trying to check if input is an integer & within range

[bennyboy]

Hello

I am trying to test if the cin input matches my criteria.

I want the program to check if the input is an integer AND if it's within range (1-4). It is for a basic menu system for a minesweeper game...

Here's what I have:

start:										//<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<START>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    
	
	cout << "Welcome to Minesweeper:" <<endl<<endl;
	cout << "1. New Game." <<endl;
	cout << "2. Replay previous Game." <<endl;									
	cout << "3. Help." <<endl;
	cout << "4. QUIT Program" <<endl<<endl;
	cout << "Please select an option: ";
	cin >> select;
	{
	if(!cin)		//Checking if input is an integer
	{
		system("cls");
		cout << "INPUT FAIL!"<<endl<<endl;
		cout << "Please only use numbers when making selection.";
                system("pause > nul");
		goto start;
	}
	else if ((select < 1) || (select > 4))		//Checking if input is within selection range (1 - 4)
	{
		system("cls");
		cout << "Please select 1 - 4 ONLY";
		system("pause > nul");
		select=0;
		goto start;

When debugging the program, the program loops around the first IF statement over and over. Do I need to clear the int 'select' before going back to start?

[Chervil]

You need to clear the error condition for non-integer input. Also clear the invalid characters from the input buffer.

if (!cin)
{
    cin.clear();              // clear the error flags
    cin.ignore(1000,'\n');    // empty the input buffer
    // etc.....
}

The use of system("pause") should not be necessary, the program will pause as it awaits user input in any case.

[bennyboy]

Thank you!

Now, I need to use this function multiple times in my code. How would I include this in a header file I already have that contains other useful functions that I have been calling to in my code?

Just putting this doesn't work when compiling:

//In functions.h

int clearbuffer();
{
    cin.clear();             
    cin.ignore(1000,'\n');   
    return 0;
}

I get "cin - undeclared identifier" error when compiling main.cpp

What to I need to do to it to get it to work?

Thanks.

[ResidentBiscuit]

Well you need to either specify somewhere in the scope of cin that you're using std namespace, or attach std:: in front of cin.

[bennyboy]

Well you need to either specify somewhere in the scope of cin that you're using std namespace, or attach std:: in front of cin.

Bingo! Thank you both for your help, much appreciated.