Variables and Format Codes

MinusZero · November 26th, 2012, 09:15 PM

Hi,

Maybe its been too long since I went through the variables chapter, but I am having problems making a variable for a format code.

What i want to do:

I have made a unit converter and want to add a combo box to select the amount of decimal points for the answer. Basically, I want the variable to fill in the correct code based on selection.

Code:

tbxTempCel.Text = celsius.ToString();

When selected, i want a variable for the combo box selection so the variable is equal to F1 for instance. The code would be equivalent to

Code:

tbxTempCel.Text = celsius.ToString("F1");

Code:

private void btnConvertTemp_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text == "0")
            {
                string dpoint = "F0";
            }

            else
                if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text == "1")
                {
                    string dpoint = "F1";
                }

                else
                    if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text=="2")
                    {
                        string dpoint="F2";
                    }



            //CELSIUS
            //check the user input text box, if it is empty, display a warning message
            if (tbxTempToConvert.Text == "")
            {
                MessageBox.Show("Enter a number to convert!", "Data Required", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Exclamation);
            }

            else
                //if the radio button is checked, do the calculation and display the string
                if (cboTemp.Text == "Celsius (Â°C)")
                {
                    //parse the information in the text box and change to an integer (double). Define temperature variable
                    double temperature = double.Parse(tbxTempToConvert.Text);
                    //define variables and use temperature (textbox) to calculate the answer
                    double celsius = temperature * 1;
                    double fahrenheit = (temperature * 1.8) + 32;
                    double kelvin = temperature + 273.15;

                    //convert the answer to a string and enter it in the appropriate text box.
                    tbxTempCel.Text = celsius.ToString(dpoint);
                    tbxTempFahr.Text = fahrenheit.ToString(dpoint);
                    tbxTempKelv.Text = kelvin.ToString(dpoint);

                }

The string is accepted without errors, but the variable name has an error in the ToString format brackets. "The name 'dpoint' does not exist in the current context"

Will it not accept my variable name because it isnt contained in the same if statement?

MinusZero · November 27th, 2012, 12:22 AM

Why dont I try harder?

I figured it out in a different way.

I forgot the ifs and simply added a concatenation.

Code:

string dpoint2 = "F" + decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text;
tbxTempCel.Text = celsius.ToString(dpoint2);

So now the string is made up of the letter F and whatever is selected in the combo. So if 2 is selected the format code becomes F2 and shows two decimal places.

So simple.

Rod Stephens · November 27th, 2012, 12:37 AM

Glad I could help!

Seriously it's good that you figured out a way around this and the way you found is a fairly subtle but powerful method. You can compose format strings in code, concatenating all sorts of stuff together, and then use them to format stuff. You can even do it with the more complicated formats you get when using String.Format.

As for your original question about why the code couldn't find dpoint, it's because you declared it inside { brackets }. That means it only exists within those brackets and disappears with the closing bracket.

Code:

if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text == "0")
{
    string dpoint = "F0";
}
else if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text == "1")
{
    string dpoint = "F1";
}
else if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text=="2")
{
    string dpoint="F2";
}

For example, is the menu item's Text is 2, then the last section executes, creates a variable named dpoint, sets it equal to F2, and then exits so dpoint goes out of scope and disappears.

In the following version the variable is declared outside of the if-then statements so it still exists when they end.

Code:

string dpoint = "F0";

if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text == "0")
{
    dpoint = "F0";
}
else if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text == "1")
{
    dpoint = "F1";
}
else if (decimalSelectToolStripMenuItem.Text=="2")
{
    dpoint="F2";
}

Now the following code can use dpoint.

MinusZero · November 27th, 2012, 09:54 PM

Ah, thanks for the explanation.

One other thing, on my converter when using the F2 format it rounds off numbers. For example, when i convert 698 millimetres using two decimal places, it shows the answer as 0.70 metres. Is there a format code to not round off the numbers? That way, if I want a more accurate figure then i have to add more decimal points.

Rod Stephens · November 28th, 2012, 12:38 PM

Well F2 means 2 decimal places so if the value has more it needs to round it off to make it have only 2.

You can use F3 to get 3 decimal places. You can use Math.Round to round off to a given number of decimal places.

The G format gives you "The most compact of either fixed-point or scientific notation." but it's default precision for different types is larger than F. See:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...#GFormatString

So in this case, I think you want G.