Why do I have to initialise variable? - java

My code is checking if a given string is in a certain format. The first char of the string has to be an uppercase letter and the rest of the string has to be any number that is from 1 to given dimension.
If the first char of the string contains a string from the alphabet array, then the code checks if the rest of the string contains a number from the numbers array. To be a valid coordinate both conditions must be true, if one of them is false it is not a valid coordinate. I want to return the boolean isValidCoordinate but however IntelliJ is telling me that I have to initialise isValid coordinate. Why do I have to initialise it, the boolean expression depends on the 'if' conditions.
Thanks.
public static boolean validCoordinate(String coordinate, int dimension) {
boolean isValidCoordinate;
String [] alphabet = {"A","B","C","D","E","F","G","H","I","J","K","L","M","N","O","P","Q","R","S","T","U","V","W","X","Y","Z"};
int [] numbers = new int [dimension];
int one = 1;
for(int i = 0; i < dimension; i++){
numbers[i] = one + i;
}
for(int i = 0; i < dimension; i++){
if((Character.toString(coordinate.charAt(0))).contains(alphabet[i])) {
for(int j = 0; j < dimension; j++) {
if ((coordinate.substring(1)).contains(Integer.toString(numbers[j]))) {
isValidCoordinate = true;
}
else {
isValidCoordinate = false;
}
}
}
else {
isValidCoordinate = false;
}
}
return isValidCoordinate;
}
This is my final code:
public static boolean validCoordinate(String coordinate, int dimension) {
boolean isValidCoordinate;
String [] alphabet = {"A","B","C","D","E","F","G","H","I","J","K","L","M","N","O","P","Q","R","S","T","U","V","W","X","Y","Z"};
int [] numbers = new int [dimension];
int one = 1;
for(int i = 0; i < dimension; i++){
numbers[i] = one + i;
}
for(int i = 0; i < dimension; i++){
if((Character.toString(coordinate.charAt(0))).contains(alphabet[i])) {
for(int j = 0; j < dimension; j++) {
if ((coordinate.substring(1)).contains(Integer.toString(numbers[j]))) {
isValidCoordinate = true;
}
else {
isValidCoordinate = false;
}
}
}
else {
isValidCoordinate = false;
}
}
return true;
}

All the cases inside the for loop are covered, but not the case when dimension is 0.
The method will go straight to return isValidCoordinate;, where the variable isn't initialized yet.

It is possible that your for loop will never be entered (for example, if dimension == 0). In that case, you will never assign a value to isValidCoordinate, but you will attempt to return the value of that variable in the last statement of your method.
What would be the value of isValidCoordinate in such case?
It wouldn't have any value.
Therefore, you are forced by the compiler to assign an initial value to isValidCoordinate, to make sure that it has a value before it is accessed.
EDIT:
Following your comments, I suggest you eliminate the boolean variable, and use return statements instead:
public static boolean validCoordinate(String coordinate, int dimension) {
String [] alphabet = {"A","B","C","D","E","F","G","H","I","J","K","L","M","N","O","P","Q","R","S","T","U","V","W","X","Y","Z"};
int [] numbers = new int [dimension];
int one = 1;
for(int i = 0; i < dimension; i++){
numbers[i] = one + i;
}
for(int i = 0; i < dimension; i++){
if((Character.toString(coordinate.charAt(0))).contains(alphabet[i])) {
for(int j = 0; j < dimension; j++) {
if ((coordinate.substring(1)).contains(Integer.toString(numbers[j]))) {
return true;
}
}
}
}
return false;
}
This way you don't have to worry about breaking out of nested loops when the boolean variable is set to true.

import java.util.regex.*;
public static boolean validCoordinate(String coordinate, int dimension)
{
Pattern p = Pattern.compile("[A-Z]+");
Matcher m = p.matcher(coordinate);
return m.matches();
}

Related

Want to use an array created in a method, for further use in another method

I have a problem and the title actually sums it up perfectly. So i'll just go ahead and show you the code snippet.
So the methode generate, is generating an array, that is filled with numbers between 1 and 1000, including both. The length of the array is user input.
The next method, isPrime, is gonna conclude if its a prime number, so i can use those numbers with the true condition in another method. The generate method works but in isPrime i always get errors. If u can think of a better way, let me know please.
static int[] generate(int n) {
int[] arr = new int[n+1];
for(int x = 0; x <= n; x ++) {
int number = (int) (Math.random()* 999)+1;
arr[x] = number;
}
return arr;
}
static int isPrime(int p, final int q[]) {
boolean itIs = true;
//final int[] arr;
for(int r = 0; r <= p; r++) { // here it somehow states r is deadCode
for(int j = 2; j < q[r]; j++) {
if(q[r]%j == 0) {
itIs = false;
}
}
return q[r];
}
}
First, create a method to check a value is prime:
public boolean isPrime(int value) {
for (int i = 0; i < value / 2; i++) { // value / 2 is enough, doesn't need to check all values
if (value % i == 0) {
return false;
}
}
return true;
}
Then you check each value of array and put prime value to new array:
public int[] filterArray(int[] array) {
List<Integer> intList = new ArrayList<>();
for (int i = 0; i < array.length; i++) {
if (isPrime(array[i])) {
intList.add(array[i]);
}
}
Integer[] integerArray = intList.toArray(new Integer[intList.size()]);
int[] intArray = ArrayUtils.toPrimitive(integerArray);
return intArray;
}
Then you get the filtered prime array.

Unable to return variable. "java: cannot find variable"

The goal is to find the largest numerical palindrome created by multiplying two three digit numbers.
public static void main (String[]args)
{
ArrayList<Integer> answers = new ArrayList<Integer>();
int temp = 0;
int result = 0;
for (int i = 100; i <= 999; i++){
for (int z = 100; z <= 999; z++){
int prod = i * z;
result = pal(prod);
answers.add(result);
}
}
int answer = Collections.max(answers);
System.out.println(answer);
}
public static int pal(int n){
String temp2 = String.valueOf(n);
for (int i = 0; i < temp2.length()/2; i++){
if (temp2.charAt(i) != temp2.charAt(temp2.length()-1-i)) {
int palindrome = Integer.parseInt(temp2);
return palindrome;
}
}
return palindrome;
}
}
palindrome is not visible outside the loop's if-statement in pal:
public static int pal(int n){
String temp2 = String.valueOf(n);
for (int i = 0; i < temp2.length()/2; i++){
if (temp2.charAt(i) != temp2.charAt(temp2.length()-1-i)) {
int palindrome = Integer.parseInt(temp2); // defined here
return palindrome;
}
}
// palindrome is not defined here
// return something else instead
return palindrome;
}
Move the palindrome variable to a visible block for the return statement . Like this:
public static void main (String[]args)
{
ArrayList<Integer> answers = new ArrayList<Integer>();
int temp = 0;
int result = 0;
for (int i = 100; i <= 999; i++){
for (int z = 100; z <= 999; z++){
int prod = i * z;
result = pal(prod);
answers.add(result);
}
}
int answer = Collections.max(answers);
System.out.println(answer);
}
public static int pal(int n){
int palindrome; //You could place it here.
String temp2 = String.valueOf(n);
for (int i = 0; i < temp2.length()/2; i++){
if (temp2.charAt(i) != temp2.charAt(temp2.length()-1-i)) {
palindrome = Integer.parseInt(temp2);
return palindrome;
}
}
return palindrome;
}
}
Check this: Block scope variables
EDIT:
Initialize the variable or you'll get an error.
In addition to Reut Sharabani's answer, it also appears that you wish to return the int n provided to your pal method every time pal is called.
if (temp2.charAt(i) != temp2.charAt(temp2.length()-1-i)) { //if it is not a palindrome
int palindrome = Integer.parseInt(temp2); //you return it
return palindrome;
}
This means you will add all numbers tested to your ArrayList.
I suggest changing the method's return type to boolean, so you can return true or false depending on whether or not the number is a palindrome. Then, you check if pal(n) == true, and if so, you add it to the ArrayList.

Why does this code in java print a reference instead the result of invoking the method?

I am supposed to write a method that accepts 3 2-D arrays of This method should determine whether one of the matrices is the result of matrix addition of the other two.
public class Matrix {
public static void main(String[]args){
int [][] a = {{5,2,3},{4,1,6},{0,7,2}};
int [][] b = {{1,2,3},{4,5,6},{0,1,2}};
int [][] t = {{6,4,6},{8,6,12},{0,8,4}};
System.out.println(add(a,b));
System.out.println(check(a,b,t));
}
public static int [][] add(int[][]a,int[][]b){
int i=0;
int j=0;
int[][] r = new int [3][3];
while (i<a.length){
r[i][j] = a[i][j] + b[i][j];
i++;
j++;
}
return r;
}
public static boolean check(int[][]a,int[][]b,int[][]t){
int i = 0;
int j = 0;
while(i<t.length){
if(t==add(a,b))
return true;
}
return false;
}
}
add returns an array. Arrays in Java are objects, but they do not override the toString() method. When printing, you'd print their default toString() call, which is implemented by Object as return getClass().getName() + "#" + Integer.toHexString(hashCode());.
Luckily, Java provides a utility in the form of java.util.Arrays.deepToString(Ojbect[]) to generate a more readable string output:
System.out.println(Arrays.deepToString(add(a,b)));
EDIT:
Your add method is also wrong. Your code iterates i and j together, so it only sums the elements along the matrix's diagonal instead of adding all of them. You should use a nested loop instead:
public static int [][] add(int[][]a, int[][]b) {
int[][] r = new int [3][3];
for (int i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; ++j) {
r[i][j] = a[i][j] + b[i][j];
}
}
return r;
}
Your check method, by the way, is also wrong - it attempts to compare the array itself instead of is elements:
public static boolean check(int[][]a, int[][]b, int[][]t) {
int[][] r = add(a, b);
for (int i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; ++j) {
if (r[i][j] != t[i][j]) {
return false;
}
}
}
return true;
}

(8 Queens) Find out if a Queen fits in 2D matrix

I'm attempting to write a program which solves the 8 Queens Problem using a 2 dimensional array of booleans. I will use backtracking to find the solution. I know this is not the optimal way to solve this problem, and that I should probably go for a 1D array for simplicity, but I want to solve it this way.
Right now I'm stuck on the function which is supposed to check whether a queen fits at a given coordinate. My row, column and down-right diagonal checks work, but I can't get the down-left diagonal check to work. I'm struggling to find the correct indexes of i and j (x and y) to start at, and which counter to increment/decrement for each iteration. Right now my function looks like this:
public static boolean fits(int x, int y) {
for(int i = 0; i < N; i++) {
if(board[x][i]) {
return false; // Does not fit on the row
}
}
for(int i = 0; i < N; i++) {
if(board[i][y]) {
return false; // Does not fit on the column
}
}
for(int i = Math.max(x-y, 0), j = Math.max(y-x, 0); i < N && j < N; i++, j++) {
if(board[i][j]) {
return false; // Down right diagonal issue
}
}
for(int i = Math.min(x+y, N-1), j = Math.max(N-1-x, 0); i >= 0 && j < N; i--, j++) {
if(board[i][j]) {
return false; // Supposed to check the down-left diagonal, but does not work.
}
}
return true;
}
As you can see there's a problem with the last loop here. I'd be very, very happy if someone could give me a working for-loop to check the down-left diagonal. Thanks in advance!
Edit: Here's the working code:
public class MyQueens {
static boolean[][] board;
static final int N = 8;
public static void main(String[] args) {
int p = 0;
board = new boolean[N][N];
board[1][1] = true;
System.out.println(fits(0, 2));
System.out.println(fits(2, 2));
}
public static boolean fits(int x, int y) {
for(int i = 0; i < N; i++) {
if(board[x][i]) {
return false; // Row
}
}
for(int i = 0; i < N; i++) {
if(board[i][y]) {
return false; // Column
}
}
for(int i = 0, j = 0; i < N && j < 0; i++, j++) {
if(board[i][j]) {
return false; // for right diagonal
}
}
int mirrorx = (N-1)-x;
for(int i = Math.max(mirrorx-y, 0), j = Math.max(y-mirrorx, 0); i < N && j < N; i++, j++) {
if(board[(N-1)-i][j]) {
return false;
}
}
return true;
}
}
I'm attempting to write a program which solves the 8 Queens Problem using a 2 dimensional array of booleans.
This is not the optimal representation, because you must use four loops to check if a queen can be placed or not. A much faster way of doing it is available.
For the purposes of your program, there are four things that must be free of threats in order for a queen to be placed:
A row,
A column,
An ascending diagonal, and
A descending diagonal
Each of these four things can be modeled with a separate array of booleans. There are eight rows, eight columns, fifteen ascending diagonals, and fifteen descending diagonals (including two degenerate cases of one-cell "diagonals" in the corners).
Declare four arrays row[8], col[8], asc[15] and desc[15], and use these four methods to work with it:
public static boolean fits(int r, int c) {
return !row[r] && !col[c] && !asc[r+c] && !desc[c-r+7];
}
public static void add(int r, int c) {
set(r, c, true);
}
public static void remove(int r, int c) {
set(r, c, false);
}
private static void set(int r, int c, boolean q) {
row[r] = col[c] = asc[r+c] = desc[c-r+7] = q;
}
Just flip the board horizontally and reuse the same algorithm as for the down right diagonal:
int mirrorx = (N-1)-x;
for(int i = Math.max(mirrorx-y, 0), j = Math.max(y-mirrorx, 0); i < N && j < N; i++, j++) {
if(board[(N-1)-i][j]) {
return false;
}
}
You could re-arrange it to make it more optimal.
Why don't you just use:
for(int i = 0, j = 0; i < N && j < 0; i++, j++) {
if(board[i][j]) {
return false; // for right diagonal
}
}
Similarly:
for(int i = 0, j = N-1; i < N && j >= 0; i++, j--) {
if(board[i][j]) {
return false; // for left diagonal
}
}

Shifting an array after removing a value (Java)

I made a program that makes an array of random ints and doubles in size if the user tries to add an int. Example: 1|2|3|4 if they were to add another int it would look like 1|2|3|4|5|0|0|0. I have made a method to add an int which works but now I am trying to make methods that remove one of a certain int and another that removes all of a certain int. for example removeInt(3) would give me 1|2|0|4|5|0|0|0. I have the first part working so that it shifts the zero to the end like this 1|2|4|5|0|0|0|0 but cannot get it to work for more than one of the same value. Any suggestions?
// ****************************************************************
// IntegerList.java
//
// Define an IntegerList class with methods to create & fill
// a list of integers.
//
// ****************************************************************
public class IntegerList
{
int[] list; //values in the list
//-------------------------------------------------------
//create a list of the given size
//-------------------------------------------------------
public IntegerList(int size)
{
list = new int[size];
}
//-------------------------------------------------------
//fill array with integers between 1 and 100, inclusive
//-------------------------------------------------------
public void randomize()
{
for (int i=0; i<list.length; i++)
list[i] = (int)(Math.random() * 100) + 1;
}
//-------------------------------------------==----------
//print array elements with indices
//-------------------------------------------------------
public void print()
{
for (int i=0; i<list.length; i++)
System.out.println(i + ":\t" + list[i]);
}
public void addElement(int newVal){
boolean full = true;
System.out.println(list.length);
int position = 0;
int place;
while(position < list.length){
System.out.println("HERE");
if(list[position]==0){
System.out.println("here");
full = false;
place = position;
System.out.println(place);
}
position = position+1;
}
if(full == true){
list = increaseSize(list);
System.out.println("L"+list.length);
full = false;
}
for(int i = 0;i<list.length;i++){
if(list[i]==0){
if(i<position){
position = i;
System.out.println(list.length);
}
}
}
list[position] = newVal;
}
public void removeFirst(int newVal){
int position = 0;
boolean removed = false;
for(int i = 0; i<list.length;i++){
if(list[i] == newVal){
list[i]=0;
position = i;
removed = true;
break;
}
}
if(removed==true){
for(int i = position;i<list.length;i++){
if(i!=list.length-1){
list[i]=list[i+1];
}
}
list[list.length-1]= 0;
}
}
public void removeAll(int newVal){
int position = 0;
boolean removed = false;
for(int i = 0; i<list.length;i++){
if(list[i] == newVal){
list[i]=0;
position = i;
removed = true;
}
}
if(removed==true){
for(int i = 0;i<list.length;i++){
if(i!=list.length-1 && list[i+1]==newVal){
list[i]=0;
}
if(list[i]==newVal){
list[i]=0;
}
}
}
}
public static int[] increaseSize(int[] x){
int newLength = x.length *2;
int[] newx = new int[newLength];
for(int i = 0; i<x.length; i++){
newx[i] = x[i];
}
return newx;
}
public static int[] halfSize(int[] x){
int[] newx = new int[x.length / 2];
for(int i = 0; i<x.length; i++){
newx[i] = x[i];
}
return newx;
}
}
I believe there's an easier way to implement your removeAll method. Move 2 (rather than 1) indices through your array constantly shifting the values over the items you are removing;
int dest = 0;
int source = 0;
while (source < array.length) {
if (array[dest] != valueToRemove)
dest++;
array[dest] = array[source++];
}
while (dest < array.length) {
array[dest++] = 0;
}
I executed your code and found out that the problem is in this piece, under removeAll()...
if(removed){
for(int i = 0;i<list.length;i++){
if(i!=list.length-1 && list[i+1]==newVal){
list[i]=0;
}
if(list[i]==newVal){
list[i]=0;
}
}
}
If you comment out and try once, you will see the removeAll() is working and your desired number is replaced with 0s. Now why you don't simply check your numbers and shift(sorting), if they are greater than 0 to the left?

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