search in a binary tree - c++

Question

I have written the following function to search for a value in a binary tree storing integer values (the function is part of a larger program):
bool tree::search(int num) //the function belongs to class 'tree'
{
node *temp=head; //'head' is pointer to root node
while(temp!=NULL)
{
if(temp->data==num)
break;
if(num>temp->data)
temp=temp->right;
if(num<temp->data)
temp=temp->left;
}
if(temp==NULL)
return false;
else if(temp->data==num)
return true;
}
The problem is: when I search for a value present in the tree, it runs fine. But if I search for a value not present in the tree, the program just hangs, and I have to close it.
One more thing - I know we can implement the search function recursively by passing node *temp as an argument, instead of declaring it inside, and I have done so which caused the program to run correctly, but I want to know what is the problem in the above code.
I am giving the full program here, just in case it makes fault- finding easier( please note that I have written only two functions yet):
#include<iostream>
using namespace std;
struct node
{
int data;
node *left;
node *right;
};
class tree
{
public:
node *head; //pointer to root
int count; //stores number of elements in tree
tree();
void addnode(int);
void deletenode(int);
bool search(int);
int minimum();
int maximum();
void inorder();
void preorder();
void postorder();
void printtree();
int mthlargest(); //finds 'm'th largest element
int mthsmallest(); //finds 'm'th smallest element
void convert(); //converts binary tree to linked list
};
tree::tree()
{
head=NULL;
count =0;
}
void tree::addnode(int num)
{
node *temp= new node;
temp->data=num;
temp->left=NULL;
temp->right=NULL;
node **ptr=&head; //double pointer
while(*ptr!=NULL)
{
if(num>(*ptr)->data)
ptr=&((*ptr)->right);
if(num<(*ptr)->data)
ptr=&((*ptr)->left);
}
*ptr=temp;
}
bool tree::search(int num)
{
node *temp=head;
while(temp!=NULL)
{
if(temp->data==num)
break;
if(num>temp->data)
temp=temp->right;
if(num<temp->data)
temp=temp->left;
}
if(temp==NULL)
return false;
else if(temp->data==num)
return true;
}
int main()
{
tree ob;
ob.addnode(2);
ob.search(2);
ob.search(3);
ob.search(-1);
ob.search(2);
cout<<endl<<endl;
system("pause");
return 0;
}
Side note : I am using Dev C++ compiler and Windows 7 OS.

Answer 1

Put an else and your problem will disappear.
Because after temp = temp->right; you must check temp again but in your original code you immediately test temp->data which may not be a valid pointer.
bool tree::search(int num)
{
node *temp = head;
while (temp != NULL)
{
if (temp->data == num)
break;
if (num > temp->data)
temp = temp->right;
else // <--- Put this 'else' here
if (num < temp->data)
temp = temp->left;
}
if (temp == NULL)
return false;
if (temp->data == num)
return true;
return false;
}

Answer 2

std::set
Use a std::set; it is basically STL's binary tree. If you want to search for something, you would use count, find or lower_bound.
Implementing basic data structures are good exercises, but in production, try to use STL first, as they are implemented by professionals with specific knowledge of the compiler/platform in question. Boost is another great set of data structures and common idioms.