Using Serial.read() function to display user input on 16 x 2 LCD

Using Arduino Programming Questions
1

Hi, I have uploaded the code below to my Arduino UNO that is hooked up to a 16 x 2 LCD, and I am having trouble with the input for the last name. My code allows the user to input their first name and last name to be displayed on both rows of the LCD (first name on top, last name on bottom). However, when I input the last name, only one character shows up; on the other hand, the first name displays correctly. For example, if I input "John" as the first name and "Doe" as the last name, "John" would appear on the top, and "e" would appear on the bottom. I tried debugging it with some Serial.print() statements, and it shows that the last name is being printed. I am not sure what to do now, and any help would be greatly appreciated because I have a school deadline coming up.

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);
int choice = 1;
int stopper = 0;
int stopper2 = 0;
int x = 1;
int y = 1;

void setup(){
// set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
lcd.begin(16, 2);
// initialize the serial communications:
Serial.begin(9600);
lcd.print("Welcome to your");
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("personal LCD!");
delay(4000);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("Please type your");
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("name on the");
delay(2500);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("serial monitor");

}

void loop()
{switch (choice) {
case 1:
if (Serial.available()){
delay(100);
lcd.clear();

while (Serial.available() > 0) {
char name = Serial.read();
Serial.print(name);
lcd.print(name);

}
choice = 2;
}
break;

case 2:
if (y == 1) {
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("Type last name");
}
y = 2;
if (Serial.available()){
delay(100);
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print(" ");
while (Serial.available() > 0) {
char name2 = Serial.read();
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
Serial.print(name2);
lcd.print(name2);
}
choice = 3;
}

break;

default:
if (x == 1) {
Serial.println("Good Job, you've written your name!");
}
x = 2;
break;

}
}

2 
    if (Serial.available()){
    delay(100);

You KNOW that there is work to do, so you diddle around for a while. You must be a government employee.

   while (Serial.available() > 0) {
      char name2 = Serial.read();
      lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
      Serial.print(name2);
      lcd.print(name2);
      }

As long as there is data to read, read it, and print it in column 1. Is that really a good idea? Compare that to how you deal with the first name/line.

3

Play "spot-the-difference between the two (?) character input sections.
Pay close attention to where you place the output.

4

Are you suggesting that I should keep all the input on the same row? I've attempted doing that, but the output still shows as one character. I added delays in the lcd.print() loop and found that it is printing each character on a single lcd character; it is not separating them out. Is this because I am storing the data as a "char" variable?

5

Are you suggesting that I should keep all the input on the same row?

No.

I've attempted doing that, but the output still shows as one character.

Write a really simple script. Do nothing except call setCursor() and printing one character to the lcd,in setup() (after creating an instance of the lcd class, of course).

Look at where the cursor is. Notice that it is NOT where you placed it. It has moved because you added text.

Now, look at the code you posted. In one case, you position the cursor and then have a while loop to read and write text. In the other case, you have the position cursor call INSIDE the while loop, where you keep f**king with the position where text is to be written. Move setCursor() OUTSIDE of the while loop.

6

I am not sure if this is the problem, but as I was searching through the code I found

  lcd.setCursor(0,1); 
  lcd.print("personal LCD!");
  delay(4000);
  lcd.clear();
  lcd.print("Please type your");
  lcd.setCursor(0,1);
  lcd.print("name on the");

If I am on the beam, I believe this is typing the code in the same spot on the LCD.
Tell me if I'm on the right flight. If not go with Pauls idea and start from the bare bones of the program.