C++ || Input/Output – Using An Array, Sort Names From a Text File & Save The Sorted Names To A New Text File

February 01, 2012 admin No comments

Since we previously discussed how to sort numbers which is contained in an integer array, it is only fitting that we display a program which sorts characters that are stored in a character array.

This is an interactive program which first displays a menu to the user, allowing them to choose from 6 different modes of operation. The 6 options are described as followed:

R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit

From the available choices, the user has the option of reading in names from a file, manually entering in names themselves, displaying the current names in the array, sorting the current names in the array, clearing the current names in the array, and finally quitting the program. When the user chooses to quit the program, whatever data which is currently stored within the array will automatically be saved to the output text file.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE FOR THIS PROGRAM

Fstream Ifstream Ofstream Character Arrays 2D Arrays Working With Files Pass By Reference While Loops For Loops Bubble Sort Functions Switch Statements Boolean Expressions Toupper Strcpy Strcmp

The data file that is used in this example can be downloaded here.

Note: In order to read in the data .txt file, you need to save the .txt file in the same directory (or folder) as your .cpp file is saved in. If you are using Visual C++, this directory will be located in

Documents > Visual Studio 2010 > Projects > [Your project name] > [Your project name]

NOTE: On some compilers, you may have to add #include < cstdlib> and #include < cstring> in order for the code to compile.





		
		
			Sorting Names Contained In A Char Array
			
C++
			
			#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>
#include <iomanip>
using namespace std;

// const variable indicating how many names the array can hold
const int TOTALNAMES = 100;

// function prototypes
void DisplayMenu();
int ReadInData(char names[][50], ifstream &infile);
void GetUserData(char names[][50], int numberOfNames);
void ClearArray(char names[][50], int numberOfNames);
void SortArray(char names[][50], int numNames);
void DisplayArray(char names[][50], int numNames);
void SaveArrayToFile(char names[][50], int numberOfNames, ofstream &outfile);

int main()
{
	// declare variables
	ifstream infile;
	ofstream outfile;
     char names[TOTALNAMES][50];
	char userResponse = 'Q';
     int numberOfNames = 0;

	// display menu to user
	DisplayMenu();
	cin >> userResponse;

	// keep looping thru the menu until the user
	// selects Q (Quit)
	while(toupper(userResponse)!='Q')
	{
		// switch statement indicating the available choices
		// the user has to make
		switch(toupper(userResponse))
		{
		case 'R': 
			numberOfNames = ReadInData(names, infile);
			break;
		case 'E': 
			cout << "nPlease enter the number of names you want to sort: ";
			cin >> numberOfNames;
			GetUserData(names,numberOfNames);
			break;
		case 'D': 
			DisplayArray(names, numberOfNames);
			break;
		case 'C': 
			ClearArray(names,numberOfNames);
			numberOfNames=0;
			break;
		case 'S': 
			SortArray(names, numberOfNames);
			break;
		case 'Q':
			break;
		default: cout << "nThe selected option is not apart of the list!nPlease try again..";
			break;
		}
		// creates a line seperator after each task is executed
		cout<<endl;
		cout.fill('-');
          cout<<left<<setw(30)<<""<<right<<setw(30)<<""<<endl; 

		// re-display's the menu to the user
		DisplayMenu();
		cin >> userResponse;
	}

	// after the user is finished manipulating the 
	// data, save the names to the output file
	SaveArrayToFile(names, numberOfNames, outfile);

    return 0;
}// end of main

// ============================================================================

// displays options to user
void DisplayMenu()
{
	cout<<"   Welcome to the name sorting program...";
	cout<<"nFrom the following menu, select an option";
	cout<<"nR - Read in names from a file for sorting";
	cout<<"nE - Enter in names manually for sorting";
	cout<<"nD - Display the current names in the array";
	cout<<"nS - Sort the current names in the array";
	cout<<"nC - Clear the current names in the array";
	cout<<"nQ - Quitn";
     cout<<"n>> ";
}// end of DisplayMenu

// ============================================================================

// reads in data from a file
int ReadInData(char names[][50], ifstream &infile)
{
	int numberOfNames=0;
	
	// open input file
	infile.open("INPUT_UNSORTED_NAMES_programmingnotes_freeweq_com.txt");

	if(infile.fail())
	{
		cout<<"Input file could not be found!n"
			<<"Please place the input file in the correct directory..";
		return 0;
	}
	else
	{
		cout << "nReading in data from the file...";
		while(infile.good())
		{
			infile >> names[numberOfNames];
			++numberOfNames;
		}
		cout << "nSuccess!";
	}
	infile.close(); // close the infile once we are done using it
	return numberOfNames;
}// end of ReadInData

// ============================================================================

// gets data from user (names) for direct input
void GetUserData(char names[][50], int numberOfNames)
{
    cout << "nPlease enter "<<numberOfNames<<" names" << endl;

	for(int index=0; index < numberOfNames; ++index)
	{
		cout<<"nName #"<<index+1<<": ";
		cin >> names[index];
    }
}// end of GetUserData

// ============================================================================

// clears the data contained in the array
void ClearArray(char names[][50], int numNames)
{
	if(numNames==0)
	{
		cout<<"nThe array is currently empty!n";
	}
	else
	{
		cout<<"nDeleting the data contained in the array...";
		for(int index=0; index < numNames; ++index)
		{
			strcpy(names[index],"");
		}
		cout << "nClearing Complete!";
	}
}// end of ClearArray

// ============================================================================

// sorts the array via 'bubble sort'
void SortArray(char names[][50],int numNames)
{
	bool sorted = false;
	char temp[50];
	
	if(numNames==0)
	{
		cout<<"nThe array is currently empty!n";
	}
	else
	{
		cout << "nSorting the names contained in the array...";
		// this is the 'bubble sort' and will execute only
		// if there is more than 1 name contained within the array
		// If there is only one name contained in the array, 
		// there is no need to sort anything
		while((sorted == false) && (numNames > 1))
		{
			sorted = true;
			for (int index=0; index < numNames-1; ++index)
			{
				if (strcmp(names[index], names[index+1]) > 0)
				{
					strcpy(temp,names[index]);
					strcpy(names[index], names[index+1]);
					strcpy(names[index+1], temp);
					sorted = false;
				}
			}
		}
		cout << "nSuccess!";
	}
}// end of SortArray

// ============================================================================

// saves the current data which is in the arrya to the output file
void SaveArrayToFile(char names[][50], int numberOfNames, ofstream &outfile)
{
	// open output file
	outfile.open("OUTPUT_SORTED_NAMES_programmingnotes_freeweq_com.txt");

	if(outfile.fail())
	{
		cout<<"Error creating output file!";
		return;
	}
	else
	{
		if(numberOfNames==0)
		{
			cout<<"nThe array contained no names.nThere was no data to save to the output file...n";
			outfile<<"The array contained no names.nThere was no data to save to the output file...n";
		}
		else
		{
			cout<<"nSaving the current contents of the array to the ouptut file..";
			outfile<<"Sorted items which were contained within the array..n";
			for(int index=0; index < numberOfNames; ++index)
			{
				outfile <<"Name #"<<index+1<<": "
					<< names[index]<<endl;
			}
			cout << "nSuccess!n";
		}
	}
	outfile.close();
}// end of SaveArrayToFile

// ============================================================================

// displays the current contents of the array to the user
// via cout
void DisplayArray(char names[][50], int numNames)
{
	if(numNames==0)
	{
		cout<<"nThe array is currently empty!n";
	}
	else
	{
		cout << "nThe values in the array are:n";
		for (int index=0; index < numNames; ++index)
		{
			cout << names[index] << endl;
		}
		cout<<"nThere is currently "<<numNames<<" names in the array!n";
	}
}// http://programmingnotes.org/
			
				
					
				
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						#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>
#include <iomanip>
using namespace std;
 
// const variable indicating how many names the array can hold
const int TOTALNAMES = 100;
 
// function prototypes
void DisplayMenu();
int ReadInData(char names[][50], ifstream &infile);
void GetUserData(char names[][50], int numberOfNames);
void ClearArray(char names[][50], int numberOfNames);
void SortArray(char names[][50], int numNames);
void DisplayArray(char names[][50], int numNames);
void SaveArrayToFile(char names[][50], int numberOfNames, ofstream &outfile);
 
int main()
{
	// declare variables
	ifstream infile;
	ofstream outfile;
     char names[TOTALNAMES][50];
	char userResponse = 'Q';
     int numberOfNames = 0;
 
	// display menu to user
	DisplayMenu();
	cin >> userResponse;
 
	// keep looping thru the menu until the user
	// selects Q (Quit)
	while(toupper(userResponse)!='Q')
	{
		// switch statement indicating the available choices
		// the user has to make
		switch(toupper(userResponse))
		{
		case 'R': 
			numberOfNames = ReadInData(names, infile);
			break;
		case 'E': 
			cout << "nPlease enter the number of names you want to sort: ";
			cin >> numberOfNames;
			GetUserData(names,numberOfNames);
			break;
		case 'D': 
			DisplayArray(names, numberOfNames);
			break;
		case 'C': 
			ClearArray(names,numberOfNames);
			numberOfNames=0;
			break;
		case 'S': 
			SortArray(names, numberOfNames);
			break;
		case 'Q':
			break;
		default: cout << "nThe selected option is not apart of the list!nPlease try again..";
			break;
		}
		// creates a line seperator after each task is executed
		cout<<endl;
		cout.fill('-');
          cout<<left<<setw(30)<<""<<right<<setw(30)<<""<<endl; 
 
		// re-display's the menu to the user
		DisplayMenu();
		cin >> userResponse;
	}
 
	// after the user is finished manipulating the 
	// data, save the names to the output file
	SaveArrayToFile(names, numberOfNames, outfile);
 
    return 0;
}// end of main
 
// ============================================================================
 
// displays options to user
void DisplayMenu()
{
	cout<<"   Welcome to the name sorting program...";
	cout<<"nFrom the following menu, select an option";
	cout<<"nR - Read in names from a file for sorting";
	cout<<"nE - Enter in names manually for sorting";
	cout<<"nD - Display the current names in the array";
	cout<<"nS - Sort the current names in the array";
	cout<<"nC - Clear the current names in the array";
	cout<<"nQ - Quitn";
     cout<<"n>> ";
}// end of DisplayMenu
 
// ============================================================================
 
// reads in data from a file
int ReadInData(char names[][50], ifstream &infile)
{
	int numberOfNames=0;
	
	// open input file
	infile.open("INPUT_UNSORTED_NAMES_programmingnotes_freeweq_com.txt");
 
	if(infile.fail())
	{
		cout<<"Input file could not be found!n"
			<<"Please place the input file in the correct directory..";
		return 0;
	}
	else
	{
		cout << "nReading in data from the file...";
		while(infile.good())
		{
			infile >> names[numberOfNames];
			++numberOfNames;
		}
		cout << "nSuccess!";
	}
	infile.close(); // close the infile once we are done using it
	return numberOfNames;
}// end of ReadInData
 
// ============================================================================
 
// gets data from user (names) for direct input
void GetUserData(char names[][50], int numberOfNames)
{
    cout << "nPlease enter "<<numberOfNames<<" names" << endl;
 
	for(int index=0; index < numberOfNames; ++index)
	{
		cout<<"nName #"<<index+1<<": ";
		cin >> names[index];
    }
}// end of GetUserData
 
// ============================================================================
 
// clears the data contained in the array
void ClearArray(char names[][50], int numNames)
{
	if(numNames==0)
	{
		cout<<"nThe array is currently empty!n";
	}
	else
	{
		cout<<"nDeleting the data contained in the array...";
		for(int index=0; index < numNames; ++index)
		{
			strcpy(names[index],"");
		}
		cout << "nClearing Complete!";
	}
}// end of ClearArray
 
// ============================================================================
 
// sorts the array via 'bubble sort'
void SortArray(char names[][50],int numNames)
{
	bool sorted = false;
	char temp[50];
	
	if(numNames==0)
	{
		cout<<"nThe array is currently empty!n";
	}
	else
	{
		cout << "nSorting the names contained in the array...";
		// this is the 'bubble sort' and will execute only
		// if there is more than 1 name contained within the array
		// If there is only one name contained in the array, 
		// there is no need to sort anything
		while((sorted == false) && (numNames > 1))
		{
			sorted = true;
			for (int index=0; index < numNames-1; ++index)
			{
				if (strcmp(names[index], names[index+1]) > 0)
				{
					strcpy(temp,names[index]);
					strcpy(names[index], names[index+1]);
					strcpy(names[index+1], temp);
					sorted = false;
				}
			}
		}
		cout << "nSuccess!";
	}
}// end of SortArray
 
// ============================================================================
 
// saves the current data which is in the arrya to the output file
void SaveArrayToFile(char names[][50], int numberOfNames, ofstream &outfile)
{
	// open output file
	outfile.open("OUTPUT_SORTED_NAMES_programmingnotes_freeweq_com.txt");
 
	if(outfile.fail())
	{
		cout<<"Error creating output file!";
		return;
	}
	else
	{
		if(numberOfNames==0)
		{
			cout<<"nThe array contained no names.nThere was no data to save to the output file...n";
			outfile<<"The array contained no names.nThere was no data to save to the output file...n";
		}
		else
		{
			cout<<"nSaving the current contents of the array to the ouptut file..";
			outfile<<"Sorted items which were contained within the array..n";
			for(int index=0; index < numberOfNames; ++index)
			{
				outfile <<"Name #"<<index+1<<": "
					<< names[index]<<endl;
			}
			cout << "nSuccess!n";
		}
	}
	outfile.close();
}// end of SaveArrayToFile
 
// ============================================================================
 
// displays the current contents of the array to the user
// via cout
void DisplayArray(char names[][50], int numNames)
{
	if(numNames==0)
	{
		cout<<"nThe array is currently empty!n";
	}
	else
	{
		cout << "nThe values in the array are:n";
		for (int index=0; index < numNames; ++index)
		{
			cout << names[index] << endl;
		}
		cout<<"nThere is currently "<<numNames<<" names in the array!n";
	}
}// http://programmingnotes.org/

QUICK NOTES:
The highlighted lines are sections of interest to look out for.

The code is heavily commented, so no further insight is necessary. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Once compiled, you should get this as your output
(Remember to include the input file)

Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit
>> d The array is currently empty! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> q The array contained no names. There was no data to save to the output file... ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> e Please enter the number of names you want to sort: 3 Please enter 3 names Name #1: My Name #2: Programming Name #3: Notes ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> d The values in the array are: My Programming Notes There is currently 3 names in the array! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> s Sorting the names contained in the array... Success! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> d The values in the array are: My Notes Programming There is currently 3 names in the array! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> c Deleting the data contained in the array... Clearing Complete! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> r Reading in data from the file... Success! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> d The values in the array are: My Programming Notes C++ Java Assembly Lemon Dark Light Black High Low Cellphone Cat Dog Penguin Japan Peace Love Color White One Brain Eggplant Phalanx Countenance Crayons Ben Dover Eileen Bob Downe Justin Elizebeth Rick Rolled Sam Widge Liza Destruction Grove Aardvark Primal Sushi Victoria Ostrich Zebra Scrumptious Carbohydrate Sulk Ecstatic Acrobat Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis English Kenneth Jessica Pills Pencil Dragon Mint Chocolate Temperature Cheese Rondo Silicon Scabbiest Palpitate Invariable Henpecked Titmouse Canoodle Boobies Pressure Density Cards Twiat Tony Pink Green Yellow Duck Dodge Movie Zoo Xiomara Eggs Marshmallows Umbrella Apple Panda Brush Handle Door Knob Mask Knife Speaker Wood Orient Love There is currently 100 names in the array! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> s Sorting the names contained in the array... Success! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> d The values in the array are: Aardvark Acrobat Apple Assembly Ben Black Bob Boobies Brain Brush C++ Canoodle Carbohydrate Cards Cat Cellphone Cheese Chocolate Color Countenance Crayons Dark Density Destruction Dodge Dog Door Dover Downe Dragon Duck Ecstatic Eggplant Eggs Eileen Elizebeth English Green Grove Handle Henpecked High Invariable Japan Java Jessica Justin Kenneth Knife Knob Lemon Light Liza Love Love Low Marshmallows Mask Mint Movie My Notes One Orient Ostrich Palpitate Panda Peace Pencil Penguin Phalanx Pills Pink Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis Pressure Primal Programming Rick Rolled Rondo Sam Scabbiest Scrumptious Silicon Speaker Sulk Sushi Temperature Titmouse Tony Twiat Umbrella Victoria White Widge Wood Xiomara Yellow Zebra Zoo There is currently 100 names in the array! ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the name sorting program... From the following menu, select an option R - Read in names from a file for sorting E - Enter in names manually for sorting D - Display the current names in the array S - Sort the current names in the array C - Clear the current names in the array Q - Quit >> q
Saving the current contents of the array to the ouptut file.. Success!

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Posted in: Advanced, C++ Tags: array, c++, for loop, functions, if/else, name, Output, strcmp, strcpy, switch, text file, While Loop

C++ || Input/Output – Using An Array, Sort Names From a Text File & Save The Sorted Names To A New Text File

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