How to tell if something is available

[fergmj]

Hello all -

I have a program that allows the user to select a start time, a stop time, a start date and a stop date in the following formats:

startdate = 3/1/01
stopdate = 3/1/01
starttime = 1:45:01 PM
stoptime = 3:45:01 PM

When the user makes their selections all of the above variables will have a variable similar to above.

I have 4 DSS recievers that are connected to computers running a server program. The server program capture the closed caption text from the video off of the DSS receivers.

I need to be able to take the user information and put it into a format (not a database) that will allow me to find a receiver is free at a certain time.

For instance (using the declarations above)...I need to look for the first available receiver (out of four) that would be free to record from 1:45:01 PM to 3:45:01 PM on 3/01/01.

Then if someone else asked to record a different channel but at the SAME DAYS AND TIMES, it would find the NEXT available receiver open. If none, it returns an error.

I have looked into arrays and structures but my knowledge of C++ is still a bit rusty and I feel as if I am spinning my wheels.

Any help would be great. Thanks!

Mindy

 

[bsisko]

Try using 4 boolean variables. A bool variable returns a true/false condition.

Set them up similiar to this

bool isfree_DSS1
bool isfree_DSS2
etc.

When the user places his data set the isfree_DSS? to false.
In your program, search the isfree variables to find if the receivers are free.

When the recording time ends, set the variables to true again.

Hope this helps.