2D array of structs - c++

Question

Description:
This program will read a data file that will contain students’ scores for 5
Computer Science (CS) tests. Each student record will contain his/her last name, first
name, numeric student ID, student username, 5 test scores, average for these five scores,
and grade for CS course. The file will be processed by the program and will produce a
report.
The report contains seven parts:
The students’ usernames
The average score for each student’s five tests.
The grade for each student’s CS course.
The average CS scores for the class.
The total number of students with grades A, B, C, D, and F.
The sorted student names and IDs based on user choice: descending or ascending order
of grades.
Search a student grade by entering student user name ID.
(See the attached sample input and output for example.)
Specifications:
All input data will be in an input file. The name of the data file that will be used
for your program MUST BE grade.dat. You may need to create your own
version of grade.dat to test your program before you turn it in. You must also
submit a printout of the contents of this test file when you submit this project.
The student user name is generated by the students’ names and ID numbers
according to the following rule. The student user name will be the first two initials
and the four digits of the student ID number. For example, for student John (last
name), Doe (first name), with ID number 1122, his user name would be: jd1122.
The user names are all lower cases.
Your program needs to use a structure to store the student information including
last name, first name numeric student ID, student user name, 5 test scores,
average for these five scores, and grade for CS course.
Your program needs to write at least three functions in your program: For
example: find average, find grade, search score etc.
2
Your program needs to do input checking: (1) correct input choices for sorting:
ascending or descending; and (2) correct format for user ids: first two are letters
and last four are digits.
Requirements for Submission:
You must
submit your C++ source code, which is .cpp file through myClasses#SU, and hand
in:
Design/pseudocode/hierarchy chart. of your algorithm.
A printed copy of your source code.
Your set of sample input data files
Your set of sample screen outputs corresponding to each input data file.
Program report: state clearly if your program doesn’t work well. What’s the
problem? Or anything you want me to know, for example, you get the help from
other students. You can not copy others’ work. It is individual program
assignment!
You will need to be ready to demo your project and ready to answer any questions
related with the project.
Grading Rubric:
Algorithm design/Pseudocode 10
Correct outputs 20
Structures 20
Functions 10
File reading 10
Input checking 10
Searching and sorting 10
Readability/comments of program (including project report) 10
3
Sample Run
Sample Input File grade.dat contains:
Bonebrake Nicole 1111 90 85 50 78 85
Boyer Dennie 2222 100 90 99 89 88
Bozick Julia 3333 52 85 44 66 87
Carroll Sandra 4444 87 88 95 85 100
Creighton Sarah 5555 91 55 80 88 75
Everett Terry 6666 60 70 59 79 89
Freeman Andrew 7777 92 95 94 96 97
Fugett Brandon 8888 77 88 75 95 80
Here is what I have so far:
#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;
struct StudentData
{
string first;
string last;
int studentID;
int exam1;
int exam2;
int exam3;
int exam4;
int exam5;
};
int main()
{
ifstream file;
file.open("grade.dat");
StudentData students[8][8];
file.close();
}
I am having trouble bringing the data out of the file and putting it into an array.

Answer 1

What about the following:
#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>
#include <string>
#include <cstring>
#include <cstdio>
using namespace std;
struct StudentData
{
string first;
string last;
int studentID;
int exam1;
int exam2;
int exam3;
int exam4;
int exam5;
};
int main()
{
ifstream file;
string temp;
char fname[100];
char lname[100];
file.open("grade.dat");
StudentData students[8];
for (int i = 0; i<8; i++)
{
getline(file, temp);
sscanf(temp.c_str(),"%s %s %d %d %d %d %d %d", fname,lname,&students[i].studentID
,&students[i].exam1,&students[i].exam2,
&students[i].exam3,&students[i].exam4,&students[i].exam5);
students[i].first = fname;
students[i].last =lname;
}
file.close();
for (int i = 0; i<8; i++)
{
cout<<students[i].first<<" "<<students[i].last<<" "<<students[i].studentID
<<" "<< students[i].exam1<<" "<< students[i].exam2<<" "<< students[i].exam3
<<" "<< students[i].exam4<<" "<< students[i].exam5<<endl;
}
}

Answer 2

OK, since all you need is a head start, here are some hints:
First of all, your assignment says nothing about 2d arrays, if you are doing it for extra credit or something - don't, it is not mandated neither by your assignment, nor by the actual task at hand.
Second - your problem at hand - reading the file. You should start by reading it one line at a time. The line contains the names, the id and the grades. Once you have the line, you can extract the fields, by say splitting the string at the spacebars. This will give you a string for every field. Then you can assign the student name fields to the strings. There is also a function that converts strings to integers - that will come in handy for the rest of the fields.
Just to make things look a little more professional, you might want to consider using a container class instead of a plain array, std::vector is a good candidate. Also, if you are going to be sorting, you might want to use pointers (preferably smart pointers) and dynamic memory allocation. Also, in order to be able to sort your array, you will need to write functions which compare students based on different criteria. A container will give you an easy way to add and remove students, instead of some stiff static construct.
Every step of the way is already covered in answers here on SO, so all you need to get things done is search whenever you get stuck.