I just started learning to code, starting with C++ yesterday. I need it for a project I'm doing and I like to build generation tools as an "onboarding" process when I learn a new skills. So I thought I'd try building out a regex generation tool.
I googled, I binged, and I looked through the similar questions and only saw answers pertaining to Ruby, Perl, or JS. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised given the utility and prevalence of C++, not more people have tried this.
I don't know how to go about the task, as I'm not a professional or really knowledgeable about what I'm doing. I'm not sure how to ask such questions, either. Please bare with me while I explain my current thoughts.
I am currently toying around with generating strings using byte arrays (I find the C++ type system and casting is confusing at times). I wanted to see if there were any specific ranges of random values that produce strings with latin characters more than others. I get a lot of different values, and found a few ranges that looked like sweet spots, but I ultimately don't know what numbers correlate to what characters.
I wanted to establish a pattern, then set the rand() ranges to correlate with the projected total byte value of what the pattern should generate as a string, then go fishing. I understand that I have to account for upper bounds for characters. So the generated values would be something like:
//not implemented
int getBoundary(string expression){
srand(time(0));
int boundaries[2] = {0};
boundaries[0] = getCeilingValue(expression)
boundaries[1] = getFloorValue(expression)
return boundaries
}
practice.cpp
/*
Method actually producing the byte strings
*/
void practice::stuub(int boundaries[2]){
srand(time(0)); //seed
basic_string<char> byteArray = {}; //"byte array" instantiation
for (int i = 0; i < 1000; i += 1) {
if(i % 2 ==0){
byteArray.push_back(rand() % boundaries[0]);//ceiling
}else{
byteArray.push_back(rand() % boundaries[1]);//floor
}
}
std::string s(byteArray, sizeof(byteArray)); //convert to string
cout << s << "\n";
}
/*
just a copy pasta validation function that I don't know if I need yet
*/
bool isNumeric(string str) {
for (int i = 0; i < str.length(); i++)
if (isdigit(str[i]) == false)
return false; //when one non numeric value is found, return false
return true;
}
/*
current putzing around. It's just been real fun to play around with,
but I plan to replace the instantiation of values of the "mod" array with
the upper/lower bounds of the string projected values This currently takes
a value and just does random stuff to it on a fishing expedition to see
if I can find any patterns.
*/
void practice::randomStringGen() {
try {
srand(time(0));
int mod[2] = {0};
string choice;
while (choice != "q") {
cout << "\n enter an integer to generate random byte strings or press (q) to quit \n";
cin >> choice;
if(choice != "q") {// make sure its not quit, otherwise it still carries out the tasks
if (isNumeric(choice)) {//make sure its numeric
mod[0] = stoi(choice);
if(mod[0] > 0) {//make sure its not 0
mod[0] = int(pow(mod[0], mod[0]));//do some weirdo math
mod[1] = rand() % mod[0]+1; //get another weirdo number
cout << "\n random string start:\n";
stuub(mod);//generate random string
cout << "\n :random string end\n";
}else{//user entered invalid integer
cout << "\n you did not enter a valid integer. Enter numbers greater than 0";
}
}else{
cout << "\n " << choice << " is not an integer";
}
}
}
}catch(std::exception& e){
cout << e.what();
}
}
I hope that provides enough explanation of what I am trying to accomplish. I'm not any sort of pro, and I have very little understanding of what I'm doing. I picked this up yesterday as a absolute beginner.
Talk to me like I'm 5 if you can.
Also, any recommendations on how to improve and "discretize" what I'm currently doing would be much appreciated. I think the nested "ifs" look wonky, but that's just a gut instinct.
Thanks!
