How can I read in a large set of data (known size by user input at runtime) from cin without using an array. i need to keep the data for comparison later too.

The user will tell me 8 different numbers are to follow.

i need to put these into variables. What is the best way to do this.

Using an array is the only way I can see how to accomplish what you want.

 I did some more research.

i really do not need to hold all the data in vars, just compare them and hold the smallest and largest ones and keep track of the frequenct of the numbers (look for doubles).

using something like:

double var1= 0, var2= 0
int dup =0
while(cin>>var1){
if (var1 > var2)
   largest = var1
  else largest = var2

if (var1<var2)
  smallest = var1
 else smallest = var2

if (var1 == var2)
 dup++

any suggestions?

if possible declare it as structure and then use cin to input datas

midFinger