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C# C# Basics (Retired) Perfect Final

Angela Langemann
Angela Langemann
5,643 Points
Posted by Angela Langemann
Angela Langemann
5,643 Points

C# Basics: Why won't my code pass the final challenge?

My code (attached) compiles and runs as expected in Workspaces but fails to pass the final challenge. The Preview does not display any errors. Can anyone tell me what is wrong?

Program.cs 
using System;

namespace Treehouse.CodeChallenges
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main()
        {
            var printCount = 0;

            while(true)
            {
                Console.Write("Enter the number of times to print \"Yay!\": ");
                var entry = Console.ReadLine();

                try
                {
                    //Check if the entry is an integer.
                    var totalPrints = int.Parse(entry);

                    if(totalPrints > 0)
                    {
                        //If the entry is a valid integer, print out "Yay" the specified number of times.
                        while(printCount < totalPrints)
                        {
                            Console.WriteLine("Yay!");
                            printCount += 1;
                        }
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        Console.WriteLine("You must enter a positive number.");
                        continue;
                    } 
                }
                catch(FormatException)
                {
                    //If the entry is not an integer, warn the user and return to the prompt.
                    Console.WriteLine("You must enter a whole number.");
                    continue;
                }
                catch(ArgumentNullException)
                {
                    Console.WriteLine("You must enter a whole number.");
                    continue;
                }
                break;      
            }   
        }
    }
}

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points

:point_right: Your program "works", but deviates from the instructions.

This is a great example of how something that works (will compile an run) might not be what was asked for (satisfies the requirements). This has been a topic of many previous questions, but I'll repost the info here:

People often over-think this one and get too creative, and their answer is rejected for a variety of reasons (some which don't seem to make any sense).

Here are the secret "rules" you must follow for success on this one:

  • Your program must ask for and accept input ONE TIME ONLY
  • If the input validates, your program will perform exactly as in Task 1
  • If the input does not validate, it will print the error message and exit
  • Validation must be done by exception catching. There are other perfectly good methods that can be used for validation, but they will not pass this challenge

It looks like you have an extra loop that violates items 1 and 3.