C++ function in switch statement is not executing - c++

Question

I'm new to c++ and I'm trying to make a simple class roster program that accepts new students storing the student data in an array that then be sorted and display the contents of the array. However when running the program and entering the menu selection, two of the three functions do not work. Any help or guidance is much appreciated. My code is here.
#include <cstdio>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <iomanip>
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
//Create Students class
class Students
{
public:
char sFirstName[256];
char sLastName[256];
int sStudentID;
double sGrade;
double sGPA;
double nCreditHours;
};
//functions
Students addStudent();
//void displayRoster();
//void sortRoster();
void showMenu();
void showWelcome();
//Welcome function
void showWelcome()
{
cout << "Welcome to my class roster program. \n"
<< "This program can be used to add students to the roster, \n"
<< "which can then be sorted by either name or I.D. number. \n"
<< endl;
}
//Menu function
void showMenu()
{
cout << " Student Roster: \n"
<< "MAIN MENU PLEASE SELECT AN OPTION" << endl;
cout << "1) Add student to roster: " << endl;
cout << "2) Display current roster: " << endl;
cout << "3) Sort roster: " << endl;
cout << "4) Exit program: " << endl;
//cout << "5) Display roster sorted by 'student I.D.': " << endl;
//cout << "6) Display roster sorted by 'Grade': " << endl;
//cout << "7) Display roster sorted by 'GPA': \n" << endl;
cout << " Make your selection: \n" << endl;
}
//Add student function
Students addStudent()
{
Students student;
cout << "Add student to roster. \n"
<< "Enter first name: " << endl;
cin >> student.sFirstName;
cout << "Enter last name: " << endl;
cin >> student.sLastName;
cout << "Enter student I.D.: " << endl;
cin >> student.sStudentID;
return student;
}
void displayStudent(Students student)
{
cout << "Student name: " << student.sFirstName << " "
<< student.sLastName << endl;
cout << "I.D. # " << student.sStudentID << endl;
}
void displayRoster()
{
Students student[256];
int nCount;
for (int index = 0; index < nCount; index++)
{
displayStudent(student[index]);
}
}
int getStudents(Students student[], int nMaxSize)
{
int index;
for (index = 0; index < nMaxSize; index++)
{
char uInput;
cout << "Enter another student to the roster? (Y/N): ";
cin >> uInput;
if (uInput != 'y' && uInput != 'Y')
{
break;
}
student[index] = addStudent();
}
return index;
}
void sortRoster()
{
Students student[256];
int nCount;
//bubble swap
int nSwaps = 1;
while (nSwaps != 0)
{
nSwaps = 0;
for (int n = 0; n < (nCount - 1); n++)
{
if (student[n].sStudentID > student[n+1].sStudentID)
{
Students temp = student[n+1];
student[n+1] = student[n];
student[n] = temp;
nSwaps++;
}
}
}
}
int main()
{
int selection; //menu selection variable
//constants for menu selection
const int ADD_STUDENT = 1,
DISPLAY_ROSTER = 2,
SORT_ROSTER = 3,
QUIT_PROGRAM = 4;
Students student[256];
//int nCount = getStudents(student, 256);
do
{
showWelcome(); //Show welcome message
showMenu(); //Show menu options
cin >> selection;
while (selection < ADD_STUDENT || selection > QUIT_PROGRAM)
{
cout << "Enter a valid selection: ";
cin >> selection;
}
if (selection != QUIT_PROGRAM)
{
switch (selection)
{
case ADD_STUDENT:
addStudent();
break;
case DISPLAY_ROSTER:
displayRoster();
break;
case SORT_ROSTER:
sortRoster();
break;
}
}
}
while (selection != QUIT_PROGRAM);
return 0;
}

Answer 1

The problem is not in the switch.
The addStudent() is not adding the student into any list or array. Also since it return type is Students you should add it into the any array of Students. Since you have not stored any data display won't display anything.
The another problem is of nCount. You are using it in for comparison without initializing it. Also to keep nCount synchronized either make it global, use as pointer or handle it with return.
Also the problem is in displayRoster(). You are declaring Students array as Students student[256]; and you are using it without initializing. Also if initialized, it won't have the data which was given as input.
NOTE: Sit and read your code again, there are many more mistakes. Try visualizing how your data should be stored and how your code is to behave and then start writing code.

Answer 2

Your nCount is not initialised. Since this variable is used in those two functions (and assuming that it refers to the total count), you can declare it as a global variable:
nCount=0;
Everytime you add a new entry, you can increment the counter as:
nCount++;
Another suggestion to make your code actually work:
student[i++]=addStudent();
where i is a counter initialised to 0. Your addStudent() function returns an object, and you discard it. Store it in the array of objects you created:
Students student[256];
Also, since you use the above in almost all functions, it is best to declare it as global rather than redeclaring in each function.