guessing_game

🎲 Guessing Game

A classic number guessing game with difficulty levels - my first Rust project!

🎯 Learning Objectives

• Rust Basics: Variables, functions, control flow
• User Input: Reading from stdin and handling input
• Random Numbers: Using external crates (rand)
• Pattern Matching: Using match for game logic
• Error Handling: Parsing user input safely
• Loops: Game loop and replay functionality

🎮 How It Works

1. Player selects difficulty (Easy: 0-9, Medium: 0-49, Hard: 0-99)
2. Program generates a random secret number
3. Player guesses until correct
4. Feedback provided (too high/too low)
5. Option to play again after winning

🚀 Running the Game

cargo run

📝 Example Session

Choose a difficulty level: Easy, Medium, Hard
> easy
Enter your Guess:
> 5
Too low!
Total guesses: 1
Enter your Guess:
> 8
You guessed correctly!
wanna play again? (y/n)
> n
Thanks for playing! Goodbye!

🔑 Key Concepts Demonstrated

Using External Crates

use rand::*;

fn generate_secret(max: u8) -> u32 {
    let mut rng = rand::rng();
    rng.random_range(0..max).into()
}

Pattern Matching

match difficulty.to_lowercase().as_str() {
    "easy" => max = 10,
    "medium" => max = 50,
    "hard" => max = 100,
    _ => {
        println!("Invalid difficulty level. Defaulting to Easy.");
        max = 10;
    }
}

Error Handling with Parse

let input_u32 = match input_val.parse() {
    Ok(num) => num,
    Err(_) => {
        println!("Invalid input. Please enter a valid number.");
        continue;
    }
};

💡 What I Learned

1. Cargo Workflow: Adding dependencies, running projects
2. String Handling: .trim(), .to_lowercase(), .as_str() - understanding when to use each
3. Type Conversion: Parsing strings to numbers, handling failures
4. Game Loop Pattern: Structuring interactive CLI applications
5. Input Validation: Making programs robust against unexpected input

🔄 Possible Improvements

• Add maximum guess limit for each difficulty
• Track high scores
• Add hints (e.g., "getting warmer/colder")
• Save game statistics to file
• Better error messages with colored output

📚 Relevant Rust Book Chapters

• Chapter 6: Enums and Pattern Matching

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Status: ✅ Completed | Difficulty: Beginner