not enough to declare in main?

[berge]

My code:

#include <iostream>
#include <ctime>
#include <cstdlib>

using namespace std;

char randomChar();

int main(){

const int SIZE = 4;
const int LETTERS = 6;

cout << randomChar();

return 0;
}

char randomChar(){
srand((NULL));
return (char)(65 + rand()%LETTERS);
}

I get an error which says: error C2065: 'LETTERS' : undeclared identifier.

Isn't it enough to declare Letters in main?

When I write the function with: char randomChar(const int LETTERS) everywhere I know have nothing, the function always gives me the number C. But I want it to give me random numbers. What have I done wrong?

[Bazzy]

the scope of LETTERS is just main, if you want to make it global, move it before main

http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/variables.html (scroll to Scope of variables)

[berge]

ahh! Thanks!

Can you se why my randomChar function only gives me the letter C?

[Bazzy]

Because you are calling srand() in that function, try moving the srand in main and give it time(0) as argument:

int main()
{

     const int SIZE = 4;
     const int LETTERS = 6;

     srand( time(0) );//<---

     cout << randomChar();

     return 0;
}

char randomChar()
{
     return (char)(65 + rand()%LETTERS);
}

[berge]

Thanks! that worked! well, almost. I only want letters for A to G. But I get som strange signs as well. Can you see way? I have tried without srand, but that didn't make things any better.

Do you know why I have to have srand() in main instead of in the function? I think it has worked in functions before. But maybe I remember wrong.

[Bazzy]

What signs you get?

srand sets the random seed and if you change it each time you call rand is likely you will get the same result