C++ file read to object array - c++

Question

I have encountered a roadblock with a member function that is supposed to read from a file and append content, line by line, to an array of Player objects. Originally I was passing the testList2 object into the member function by reference and the code was working fine, but I have been informed that the main file can not be altered and that the readFile function can only take one parameter. Below is a snippet of code from a test file, and the aformentioned readFile member function.
I want to figure this out, so if anyone has some general advice to point me in the right direction without giving the answer, I would be greatful.
Contestants testList2;
std::cout << "-----BEGIN FILE I/O TEST -----------\n\n";
std::cout << "Test 1 - error opening file\n";
std::cout << "\tEXPECTING: Could not open file.\n";
std::cout << "\tACTUAL: ";
testList2.readFile("testFil");
std::cout << "\nTest 2 - append to object from file\n";
testList2.readFile("testFile2"); // Function call here. Can not add second parameter.
std::cout << "\nPrinting testList2 contents\n";
for(int i = 0; i < testList2.getSize(); i++) {
std::cout << "Player " << i + 1 << "\n";
std::cout << testList2.at(i) << std::endl;
}
bool Contestants::readFile(std::string fileName) {
// Create object and open file
Player tmpPlayer;
std::ifstream inFile(fileName);
// Check that file is open.
if(!inFile) {
std::cout << "Could not open file." << std::endl;
return false;
}
std::cout << "File opened.\n" << std::endl;
// Read the file line by line
std::string line;
std::string tmpName;
std::string tmpScore;
while(std::getline(inFile, line)) {
//std::cout << line << std::endl; // This line is for testing purposes
// Create a string stream read from input file.
std::stringstream ss(line);
// Store contents of the file into two seperate value delimited by a comma.
if(std::getline(ss, tmpName, ',')) {
if(std::getline(ss, tmpScore)) {
tmpPlayer = Player(tmpName, stoi(tmpScore));
testList2.append(tmpPlayer); // HOW TO APPEND TO CONTESTANTS OBJECT WITHOUT A SECOND FUNCTION PARAMETER?
}
}
}
// Check for errors or end of file
if (inFile.bad()) {
std::cout << "Error reading file." << std::endl;
return false;
} else if (inFile.eof()) {
std::cout << "\nEnd of file reached." << std::endl;
}
// Close the file.
inFile.close();
std::cout << "\nFile closed." << std::endl;
return true;
}
class Contestants
{
public:
// Static constant size maximum for array size.
static const int MAX_SIZE = 3;
// Default constructor
Contestants();
// Capacity
int getSize() const; // Returns the number of objects held within Contestants
int getMaxSize() const; // Returns the value of MAX_SIZE
bool isEmpty() const; // Checks for empty object array.
// Accessors
int contains(const Player& player) const; // Determines if Contestants contains specified Player object
const Player& at(int index) const; // Returns player object found at index param
const Player& operator[](int index) const; // TODO
// Modifiers
void clearAll(); // Resets object array to 0.
bool append(const Player& player); // Adds player objects and increases size.
bool removePlayer(const Player& player); // Finds player object and calls removeByIndex()
bool removeByIndex(int index); // removes specified player object
// Other (file IO)
bool readFile(std::string fileName); // TODO
bool writeFile(std::string fileName); // TODO
private:
Player data[MAX_SIZE];
int size;
};
I have tried various pointer methods but all throw errors.

Answer 1

I want to figure this out, so if anyone has some general advice to point me in the right direction without giving the answer...
I will try NOT to give an answer :)
Your readFile() function is a member on your class Contestants, so you do not have to "pass testList2 object into the member function"