Question

12. Comparing Estimates

This is a C++ question

This exercise will test your knowledge of passing structures to functions. Create a structure that stores information about various plumbers that you are getting repair estimates from. As you can see from the output, the structure must store the name, phone number, and estimate. Since you are only getting estimates from two companies, only two structure variables are needed.

Functions:

1) Get data from the user. This function must be called TWICE.

2) Print the summary you see in the last line of output. The formula is simple: Check which company has the lower estimate and output their name and the difference in price. If they gave the same estimate, then output a message stating so.

Output:

This program will compare estimates from two different plumbers.

Enter the company/plumber name: [user types: ABC Corp]

Enter the phone number: [user types: 305-555-1111]

Enter the estimate received: [user types: 90]

Enter the company/plumber name: [user types: XYZ Corp]

Enter the phone number: [user types: 305-555-2222]

Enter the estimate received: [user types: 99.50]

ABC Corp is cheaper by $9.50

(Could also have been this: "Both plumbers gave the same estimate. Go with either.")

Notes and Hints:

1) Since the company / plumber name can have a space in it, you must use GETLINE for this piece of input. Important: Remember to use std::cin.ignore() near the end of the function. Otherwise, the next time the function is called, getline will read the leftover newline from the previous input.

Answer 1

The logic is described by comments in the code at every required line.

The complete code:
#include <iostream>
#include <string>

using namespace std;

// define structure to store plumber/company information
struct PlumberInfo
{
string name; // plumber or company name
string phoneNumber; // phone number
double estimate; // estimate given
};

// function to get data for a company or plumber
void GetPlumberInfo(PlumberInfo &pi)
{
// prompt user to enter company or plumber name
cout << "Enter the company/plumber name: ";
// using getline as name can have spaces in between
getline(cin, pi.name);
  
// prompt user to enter company or plumber phone number
cout << "Enter the phone number: ";
cin >> pi.phoneNumber;
  
// prompt user to enter the estimate
cout << "Enter the estimate received: ";
cin >> pi.estimate;
  
// to ignore or flush the leftover newline character from the previous input
cin.ignore();
}

// function compares two estimates and prints summary based on the estimates
void compareEstimates(PlumberInfo &plumber1, PlumberInfo &plumber2)
{
// plumber estimates are equal
if(plumber1.estimate == plumber2.estimate)
{
cout << "Both plumbers gave the same estimate. Go with either.";
}
// first plumber has cheaper estimate
else if(plumber1.estimate < plumber2.estimate)
{
cout << plumber1.name << " is cheaper by " << (plumber2.estimate - plumber1.estimate);
}
// second plumber has cheaper estimate
else
{
cout << plumber2.name << " is cheaper by " << (plumber1.estimate - plumber2.estimate);
}
}

int main()
{
// define 2 variables for 2 plumber or company
PlumberInfo plumber1;
PlumberInfo plumber2;
  
// get first plumber/company information from user
GetPlumberInfo(plumber1);
  
// get second plumber/company information from user
GetPlumberInfo(plumber2);
  
// comapare the estimates and print the summary
compareEstimates(plumber1, plumber2);

return 0;
}

OUTPUT: