C++ while loop not running [closed] - c++

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my while loop wont run on the conditions I set it.
The purpose of the program is to determine the amount of years it will take a deposited amount to mature using the deposit amount, interest rate and target amount.
The program just stops after the target amount has been entered, unless I change the while statement from <= to >= in which case it runs the loop but returns the number of years set at round 100's or 1000 etc...
#include <iostream>
#include <iomanip>
#include <string>
#include <math.h>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
//declare the variables
double rate,
balance = 0;
int deposit,
target,
years = 0;
cout << "****Lets make you some money!****" << endl << endl;
//input from the user
cout << "What is your deposit amount?: " << endl;
cin >> deposit;
cout << "What is your interest rate?: " << endl;
cin >> rate;
cout << "What is you target savings amount?: " << endl;
cin >> target;
rate = rate / 100;
while (balance <= target); //when i change this to balance >= target the 'while' runs but just returns years divisible by 100
{
// calculation
balance += deposit * pow((1 + rate), years);
//balance = balance*(1 + rate) + deposit; // alternate calculation
//years++;
//users savings target
cout << "You will reach your target savings amount in: " << balance << " years." << endl << endl << " That's not that long now is it?" << endl;
}
return 0;
}
Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

The problem is an unfortunate suffix:
while (balance <= target);
// ^
That is equivalently:
while (balance <= target) {
;
}
{
// calculation, which always runs exactly once
// regardless of what balance/target are
}
Just drop the semicolon.