[Resolved] Class Instantiation

I have a switch statement like this:

Code:

---

switch (iOption) {
    case 1:
        cFreshman cNewStudent = new cFreshman();
        cNewStudent.getSpecialInfo();
        break;
     
    case 2:
        cSophomore cNewStudent = new cSophomore();
        cNewStudent.getSpecialInfo();
        break;

    case 3:
        cJunior cNewStudent = new cJunior();
        cNewStudent.getSpecialInfo();
        break;
       
    case 4:
        cSenior cNewStudent = new cSenior();
        cNewStudent.getSpecialInfo();
        break;

    default:
        break;
}

---

There's other code involived in the cases, but I just trimmed it to this as an example. Now, to shorten up the code, I wanted to do something like this:

Code:

---

switch (iOption) {
    case 1:
        cFreshman cNewStudent = new cFreshman(); break;
     
    case 2:
        cSophomore cNewStudent = new cSophomore(); break;

    case 3:
        cJunior cNewStudent = new cJunior(); break;
       
    case 4:
        cSenior cNewStudent = new cSenior(); break;

    default:
        break;
}

cNewStudent.getSpecialInfo();
// do other stuff with cNewStudent

---

But that obviously wont work, since cNewStudent is only defined within the scope of the case statement.

So I'm wondering if there's any other way to do it? Like:

Code:

---

cClassName cNewStudent;
switch (iOption) {
    case 1:
        cNewStudent = new cFreshman(); break;
     
    case 2:
        cNewStudent = new cSophomore(); break;

    case 3:
        cNewStudent = new cJunior(); break;
       
    case 4:
        cNewStudent = new cSenior(); break;

    default:
        break;
}

cNewStudent.getSpecialInfo();
// do other stuff with cNewStudent

---

I know that doesn't make much sense, but can I setup the class without defining what type it is, and then define it's type in the case statement? Or anything else like this?

I know it's a longshot, but I figured I'd ask anyways.

I just realized my original switch code doesn't even compile. :(

something like this:

Code:

---

public class cStudent
{
    public:
          virutal void getSpecialInfo() {};
          virtual /* other functions shared amongst students */
};

public class cSophmore : public cStudent
{
    public:
          void getSpecialInfo() { /* .... */ };
          /* .... */
}




///////////////////////////////////////
cStudent cNewStudent;

switch (iOption)
{
    case 1:
        cNewStudent = new cFreshman();
        break;
    case 2:
        cNewStudent = new cSophomore();
        break;
    case 3:
        cNewStudent = new cJunior();
        break;
    case 4:
        cNewStudent = new cSenior();
        break;
}

cNewStudent.getSpecialInfo();

---

Thanks, I think I got it working using that idea.