Error-checking for outbounded char-Array - using std::cin

Question

How can I make an error checking of outbounding the charlength when using std::cin?

char _charArr[21];
bool inputNotVerified = true;
while (inputNotVerified) {
     cout << "input a string no more than 20 chars: ";
     cin >> _charArr;  
 // if the errorchecking works the boolean should be set to false 
}

As stated in the comment above - the only thing that can break the loop is when the input is correct - that is no more than 20 characters. But how do i implement it?

I have tried to make a condition out of strlen(_charArr) but without success.

What happens if the user enter a string longer than 20 characters? Then you have buffer overflow. Use std::string and check its length. — Some programmer dude
– Some programmer dude, Commented May 22, 2014 at 19:33
@JoachimPileborg - I have to use char* according to the assignment — user3155478
– user3155478, Commented May 22, 2014 at 20:23

David G · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-22 20:47:00Z

1

Use std::istream::getline():

if (std::cin.getline(_charArr, sizeof _charArr) && std::cin.gcount()) {
    // ...
}

std::istream::getline() will only read a maximum of count characters which is provided by the second argument. gcount() is for checking if at least one character has been read.

answered May 22, 2014 at 20:47

David G

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1 Comment

user3155478 Over a year ago

nice, but I had to add cin.ignore() and cin.clear();

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