C++: How to make a simple dictionary?

Question

I'm trying to make a dictionary with 2-character words but not so much success Here's my code:

#include <cstdlib>
#include <iostream>
#include <map>
using namespace std;

int main(int argc, char *argv[]){
    map<char*,int> m;
    //input 5 two-lengthed words 
    for (int i=0;i<5;i++){
        char s[3];
        cin>>s;
        s[2] = '\0';
        m[s]=1; //add a key
    }
    //checking if a word exists.

    cout<<"Word you want to check whether it exists:"<<endl;
    char chck[3];
    cin>>chck;
    chck[2]='\0';
    //I heard this is how you check whether a key exists:
    bool exists = m.find(chck)==m.end(); 
    cout<<((exists)?"Yes!":"No.")<<endl;
    system("pause"); //Yea, system, I know.
    return 0;
}

Whenever I enter the words, and then when I want to check whether a word is in a dictionary, I always get printed "No."?
I come from Java so I got used to references, not pointers, so that's where I'm probably wrong. I want to learn how to properly use the maps so can you please what am I supposed to do here?

Thanks

Answer 1

//I heard this is how you check whether a key exists:
bool exists = m.find(chck)==m.end(); 

Yes, but the condition is true if the element does not exist. You should call your vaviable notExists:

bool notExists = m.find(chck)==m.end();

Now, if all you want to do is check if a work exists, you can use an std::set<std::string>. If you want the word to be a key to something else, then you need std::map<std::string, SomeThingElse>.

Forget about those char*. Use std::strings.