C Sharp Lottery Number Generator with code explanation

Below is a C# Lottery Number Generator program.

It generates a set of random lottery numbers based on the user’s chosen range and quantity.

Code

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;

class LotteryNumberGenerator
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Welcome to the Lottery Number Generator!");

        while (true)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("\nChoose an option:");
            Console.WriteLine("1. Generate Lottery Numbers");
            Console.WriteLine("2. Exit");
            Console.Write("Enter your choice: ");

            string choice = Console.ReadLine();

            switch (choice)
            {
                case "1":
                    GenerateLotteryNumbers();
                    break;
                case "2":
                    Console.WriteLine("Goodbye!");
                    return;
                default:
                    Console.WriteLine("Invalid choice. Please try again.");
                    break;
            }
        }
    }

    static void GenerateLotteryNumbers()
    {
        Console.Write("\nEnter the number of lottery numbers to generate: ");
        if (!int.TryParse(Console.ReadLine(), out int numberCount) || numberCount <= 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Invalid input. Please enter a positive integer.");
            return;
        }

        Console.Write("Enter the maximum number in the range: ");
        if (!int.TryParse(Console.ReadLine(), out int maxNumber) || maxNumber <= 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Invalid input. Please enter a positive integer.");
            return;
        }

        if (numberCount > maxNumber)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("The number of lottery numbers cannot exceed the range of numbers.");
            return;
        }

        // Generate unique random numbers
        HashSet<int> lotteryNumbers = new HashSet<int>();
        Random random = new Random();
        while (lotteryNumbers.Count < numberCount)
        {
            lotteryNumbers.Add(random.Next(1, maxNumber + 1));
        }

        // Display the generated numbers
        Console.WriteLine("\nYour lottery numbers are:");
        foreach (int number in lotteryNumbers)
        {
            Console.Write(number + " ");
        }
        Console.WriteLine();
    }
}

Explanation of the Code

1. Program Structure:
   • The program uses a menu-driven interface, allowing users to generate lottery numbers or exit the application.
   • It ensures user input is valid (e.g., positive integers).

Key Methods

1. Main Method:

• Displays the main menu and processes user input.
• Uses a switch statement to handle the user’s choice.
• Exits the program if the user selects “Exit.”

Console.WriteLine("1. Generate Lottery Numbers");
Console.WriteLine("2. Exit");
string choice = Console.ReadLine();

2. GenerateLotteryNumbers Method:

This method is the core of the program, performing the following steps:

1. Input Validation:
   • Prompts the user to input the number of lottery numbers (numberCount) and the maximum number in the range (maxNumber).
   • Validates inputs using int.TryParse to ensure they are positive integers.

   if (!int.TryParse(Console.ReadLine(), out int numberCount) || numberCount <= 0)
   {
       Console.WriteLine("Invalid input. Please enter a positive integer.");
       return;
   }
   

2. Generate Unique Random Numbers:
   • Uses a HashSet<int> to store unique lottery numbers.
   • A while loop ensures the required number of unique random numbers is generated.
   • The Random class generates random numbers within the range [1, maxNumber].

   HashSet<int> lotteryNumbers = new HashSet<int>();
   Random random = new Random();
   while (lotteryNumbers.Count < numberCount)
   {
       lotteryNumbers.Add(random.Next(1, maxNumber + 1));
   }
   

3. Display Results:
   • Iterates through the HashSet<int> and displays the generated numbers.

   Console.WriteLine("Your lottery numbers are:");
   foreach (int number in lotteryNumbers)
   {
       Console.Write(number + " ");
   }
   Console.WriteLine();
   

Input/Output Example

Example 1: Generating Lottery Numbers

Input:

Enter the number of lottery numbers to generate: 6
Enter the maximum number in the range: 49

Output:

Your lottery numbers are:
12 34 5 22 19 47

Validation and Edge Cases

1. Ensure Valid Input:
   • Inputs like negative numbers, non-integer values, or numbers exceeding the range are rejected.

   Example:

   Enter the number of lottery numbers to generate: -5
   Invalid input. Please enter a positive integer.
   

2. Ensure Unique Numbers:
   • The HashSet<int> ensures no duplicate numbers are generated.
3. Range Validation:
   • Ensures the number of lottery numbers does not exceed the range.

   Example:

   Enter the number of lottery numbers to generate: 10
   Enter the maximum number in the range: 6
   The number of lottery numbers cannot exceed the range of numbers.
   

Features

1. Randomized and Unique Numbers:
   • Uses the Random class and HashSet<int> to ensure uniqueness.
2. Customizable Settings:
   • Users can specify the number of lottery numbers and the range.
3. Input Validation:
   • Ensures the program handles invalid inputs gracefully.
4. Reusable Design:
   • The modular design makes it easy to extend the program with additional features.

Ideas for Enhancement

1. Add Save Option:
   • Save generated numbers to a file for future reference.
2. Simulate Real Lottery Rules:
   • Include predefined lottery systems (e.g., Powerball, Mega Millions).
3. GUI Version:
   • Use Windows Forms or WPF to create a graphical interface for the lottery number generator.
4. Multiple Sets:
   • Allow users to generate multiple sets of numbers in one session.

This C# Lottery Number Generator provides a solid foundation for generating random, unique numbers for lottery-style applications. The modular approach and input validation make it robust and easy to expand!