Separating user input numbers in C#

Question

How can I separate a set of numbers in a console app in C# instead of asking the user for each individual number? E.g. instead of doing this...

        double first, second, third, fourth;

        Console.Write("Please enter first digit: ");
        first = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());
        Console.Write("Please enter second digit: ");
        second = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());
        Console.Write("Please enter third digit: ");
        third = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());
        Console.Write("Please enter fourth digit: ");
        fourth = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());

If its just single digits then you could use a string which is an array of chars. I doubt they will only be single digits tho. 2 cents. — Jeremy Thompson
– Jeremy Thompson, Commented Feb 22, 2013 at 4:13

Parimal Raj · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-22 04:19:19Z

5

You can have them enter all digits at once with a separator of some sort (space in this example).

Console.Write("Please enter a bunch of digits separated by a space: ");
var allDigits = Console.ReadLine().Split(' ');
Double[] digits = allDigits.Select(d => Covert.ToDouble(d)).ToArray();

If your requirement is limited to 4 inputs restrict the allDigit by using IEnumerable<string>.Take(4)

Console.Write("Please enter a bunch of digits separated by a space: ");
var allDigits = Console.ReadLine().Split(' ').Take(4);
Double[] digits = allDigits.Select(d => Covert.ToDouble(d)).ToArray();

edited Feb 22, 2013 at 4:19

Parimal Raj

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answered Feb 22, 2013 at 4:12

PinnyM

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2 Comments

cuongle Over a year ago

You don't need Split(' '), just Split()

PinnyM Over a year ago

@CuongLe, true enough - but as an example I try to make it obvious how the separator can be changed.

Parimal Raj · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-22 04:11:18Z

Make use of array, it can help you to faster read/write operation into variables

    double[] numbers = new double[4];

    for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Enter {0} of 4 Number : ", i + 1);
        numbers[i] = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());
    }

    // numbers[0] = first
    // numbers[1] = second
    // numbers[2] = third
    // numbers[3] = fourth

If you really want to use four variables then, this can be the most short way :

    double first, second, third, fourth;

    for (int i = 1; i <= 4; i++)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Enter a number : ");
        double input = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());
        switch (i)
        {

            case 1:
                first = input;
                break;

            case 2:
                second = input;
                break;

            case 3:
                third = input;
                break;
            case 4:
                fourth = input;
                break;

        }
    }

lc. · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-22 04:12:14Z

1

Here's one way:

Console.Write("Please enter numbers, comma-separated: ");
var numbers = Console.ReadLine()
    .Split(',')
    .Select(x => Double.Parse(x.Trim()))
    .ToList();

In real-life code though it would probably be better to use TryParse and throw an error back to the user.

answered Feb 22, 2013 at 4:12

lc.

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