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MiniMax chess algoritm returns bad moves

I'm having problems with my implementation of the MiniMax algoritm for my chess game. Most parts of it seems to work, but it either never makes the good moves or something is wrong with the evaluation (score based of both players active pieces) of them.
For example if I set up check (fool's mate for example) the ai does something random instead of killing the king. I really can't pin out what I'm doing wrong.
The class that evaluates the board, StandardBoardEvaluator, seems to work after some testing, so the problem is most likely somewhere within the MiniMax implementation. The game is made up from a class Board, which has and 2D array with 8x8 objects of my own class Square, which in itself has a reference to an Piece (that can be null, or any of the typical chess pieces).
In the algoritm i constantly makes new Board instances as going down the searchthree, which is why i made these "deep clone" constructors in Board and Square, so that does not seem to be the problem. Like this:
public Board(Board originalBoard) {
this.turnIsWhite = originalBoard.getTurnIsWhite();
winner = null;
squares = new Square[8][8];
for (int rank=0; rank<squares.length; rank++) {
for(int file=0; file<squares[rank].length; file++) {
squares[rank][file] = new Square(originalBoard.getSquare(posStringFromFileRank(rank, file)));
}
}
}
AND
public Square(Square originalSquare) {
this.pos = new String(originalSquare.getPos());
this.piece = originalSquare.getPiece();
}
I have an typical command class, MovePiece, for moving pieces. This uses another class, MoveCheck, to check if the move command is legal. MovePiece returns a boolean representing if the move is legal. Both these classes have been heavily tested and are working, so I don't think the problem is within these classes.
Here is the algoritm:
public class MiniMax implements MoveStrategy{
BoardEveluator bV;
MoveGenerator mGen;
int depth;
public MiniMax(int depth){
bV = new StandardBoardEvaluator();
mGen = new MoveGenerator();
this.depth = depth;
}
#Override
public MovePiece execute(Board board) {
MovePiece bestMove = null;
int lowestValue = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
int highestValue = Integer.MIN_VALUE;
int currentValue = 0;
String color = (board.getTurnIsWhite() ? "white" : "black");
System.out.println(color + " is evaluation best move with MiniMax depth " + depth);
List<MovePiece> allPossibleMoves = mGen.getLegalMoves(board, board.getTurnIsWhite());
for (MovePiece mp : allPossibleMoves){
Board tempBoard = new Board(board);
mp.setBoard(tempBoard);
if (mp.execute()){
currentValue = tempBoard.getTurnIsWhite() ? min(tempBoard, depth -1) : max(tempBoard, depth -1);
if (board.getTurnIsWhite() && currentValue >= highestValue){
highestValue = currentValue;
bestMove = mp;
}
else if (!board.getTurnIsWhite() && currentValue <= lowestValue){
lowestValue = currentValue;
bestMove = mp;
}
mp.unexecute();
}
}
return bestMove;
}
int min (Board board, int depth){
if (depth == 0 || board.getWinner() != null){
return bV.eveluate(board);
}
int lowestValue = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
List<MovePiece> legalMoves = mGen.getLegalMoves(board, board.getTurnIsWhite());
for (MovePiece mp : legalMoves){
Board tempBoard = new Board(board);
mp.setBoard(tempBoard);
if (mp.execute()){
int currentValue = max(tempBoard, depth - 1);
if (currentValue <= lowestValue){
lowestValue = currentValue;
}
mp.unexecute();
}
}
return lowestValue;
}
int max (Board board, int depth){
if (depth == 0 || board.getWinner() != null){
return bV.eveluate(board);
}
int highestValue = Integer.MIN_VALUE;
List<MovePiece> legalMoves = mGen.getLegalMoves(board, board.getTurnIsWhite());
for (MovePiece mp : legalMoves){
Board tempBoard = new Board(board);
mp.setBoard(tempBoard);
if (mp.execute()){
int currentValue = min(tempBoard, depth - 1);
if (currentValue >= highestValue){
highestValue = currentValue;
}
mp.unexecute();
}
}
return highestValue;
}
And the evalutor class
public class StandardBoardEvaluator implements BoardEveluator {
private int scorePlayer(Board board, boolean isWhite){
return pieceValue(board, isWhite) + mobolity(isWhite, board);
}
private int mobolity(boolean isWhite, Board board){
return (int) (board.getActiveSquares(isWhite).size() * 1.5);
}
private static int pieceValue(Board board, boolean isWhite){
int piceValueScore = 0;
for (Square square : board.getActiveSquares(isWhite)){
piceValueScore += square.getPiece().getPieceValue();
}
return piceValueScore;
}
#Override
public int eveluate(Board board) {
return scorePlayer(board, true) - scorePlayer(board, false);
}
}
Here is the MovePiece class:
private Square from;
private Square to;
private Board board;
private MoveCheck mCheck;
private RulesCheck rCheck;
private boolean done = false;
private Piece killed;
public MovePiece(Board board, String from, String to) {
this.board = board;
this.from = board.getSquare(from);
this.to = board.getSquare(to);
mCheck = new MoveCheck();
}
public MovePiece(Board board, Square from, Square to) {
this.board = board;
this.from = from;
this.to = to;
mCheck = new MoveCheck();
rCheck = new RulesCheck(board);
}
public void setBoard(Board board) {
this.board = board;
}
public Board getBoard() {
return board;
}
public Square getFrom() {
return from;
}
public Square getTo() {
return to;
}
public void setFrom(Square from) {
this.from = from;
}
public void setTo(Square to) {
this.to = to;
}
public void setFrom(String from) {
this.from = board.getSquare(from);
}
public void setTo(String to) {
this.to = board.getSquare(to);
}
#Override
public boolean execute() {
rCheck = new RulesCheck(board);
if (done) {
board.movePiece(from, to);
return true;
}
else if (mCheck.isLegal(board, from, to)){
if (to.getPiece() != null) {
killed = to.getPiece();
rCheck.winCheck(killed);
}
board.setGameOutput("Moved " + from.pieceToString() + " at " + from.getPos() + " - to " + to.getPos() + "(" + to.pieceToString() + ")");
board.movePiece(from, to);
rCheck.checkPromotion(to);
done = true;
return true;
}
return false;
}
#Override
public void unexecute() {
if (to.getPiece().getClass() == Pawn.class)
((Pawn) to.getPiece()).decreaseMoves();
board.movePiece(to, from);
if (killed != null) {
to.setPiece(killed);
}
}
The MoveCheck class merely looks if the move is legal for the piece (path is clear, target is an enemy or empty and so on), don't think it's relevant for my problem since the code is tested and works.
The piece value is declared as an int in the subclasses (all the types of pieces) of the abstract class Piece. 100 points for a pawn, 300 for bishop and knight, 500 for rook, 900 for queen and 10 000 for the king.
If anyone could help me figure out the problem i would be eternally grateful! Please let me know if you need to se some other code i haven't showed.

You haven't shared the MovePiece implementation neither the main game loop, but I indentified two possible problems inside MiniMax.execute method:
currentValue = tempBoard.getTurnIsWhite() ? min(tempBoard, depth -1) : max(tempBoard, depth -1)
According to the above code, you are assuming that the MinMax player will always be black, as it evaluates min for white and max for black. For a generic algorithm this is a wrong assumption, don't know if it works for you though.
Second thing is after calling mp.execute() and assigning bestMove = mp you call mp.unexecute(), so effectively call bestMove.unexecute() since the variables point to the same object.
Please consider the suggestions above and if it does not fix the problem, share the abovementioned implementation pieces.

Android - An algorithm to check recursively if a map is solvable

I am making an android Hashikawekero puzzle game, I have implemented a algorithm to spawn nodes (Islands) at random positions using a 2-d array this works fine it creates the node at random position but most of the times the map cant be solved. The map nodes spawn at random.
BoardCreation.java Class - this generates the map.
package Island_and_Bridges.Hashi;
import android.annotation.TargetApi;
import android.os.Build;
import android.util.Log;
import java.util.Random;
import static junit.framework.Assert.*;
//This class Creates the map by random using a 2d array
public class BoardCreation {
// This class member is used for random initialization purposes.
static private final Random random = new Random();
// The difficulty levels.
private static final int EASY = 0;
static public final int MEDIUM = 1;
static public final int HARD = 2;
static public final int EMPTY = 0;
private static int ConnectionFingerprint(BoardElement start, BoardElement end) {
int x = start.row * 100 + start.col;
int y = end.row * 100 + end.col;
// Swap to get always the same fingerprint independent whether we are called
// start-end or end-start
if (x > y ) {
int temp = x;
x = y;
y = temp;
}
Log.d("", String.format("%d %d" , x ,y));
return x ^ y;
}
public class State {
// The elements of the board are stored in this array.
// A value defined by "EMPTY" means that its not set yet.
public BoardElement [][] board_elements = null;
public int [][] cell_occupied = null;
// The width of the board. We only assume squared boards.
public int board_width=0;
public State(int width) {
board_width = width;
board_elements = new BoardElement[width][width];
cell_occupied = new int[width][width];
}
public State CloneWithoutConnections() {
State newstate = new State(board_width);
if (board_elements != null) {
newstate.board_elements = new BoardElement[board_elements.length][board_elements.length];
for (int i = 0; i < board_elements.length; ++i) {
for (int j = 0; j < board_elements.length; ++j) {
if (board_elements[i][j] == null)
continue;
newstate.board_elements[i][j] = board_elements[i][j].clone();
}
}
}
if (cell_occupied != null) {
assert board_elements != null;
newstate.cell_occupied = new int[board_elements.length][board_elements.length];
for (int i = 0; i < board_elements.length; ++i) {
System.arraycopy(cell_occupied[i], 0, newstate.cell_occupied[i], 0, board_elements.length);
}
}
return newstate;
}
public void AddToBridgeCache(BoardElement first, BoardElement second) {
if (first == null || second == null) { return; }
final int fingerprint = ConnectionFingerprint(first, second);
Log.d(getClass().getName(),
String.format("Fingerprint of this bridge %d", fingerprint));
// mark the end points as occupied.
cell_occupied[first.row][first.col] = fingerprint;
cell_occupied[second.row][second.col] = fingerprint;
int dcol = second.col - first.col;
int drow = second.row - first.row;
if (first.row == second.row) {
for (int i = (int) (first.col + Math.signum(dcol)); i != second.col; i += Math.signum(dcol)) {
cell_occupied[first.row][i] = fingerprint;
String.format("deleting bridge");
}
} else {
assert first.col == second.col;
for (int i = (int) (first.row + Math.signum(drow)); i != second.row; i+= Math.signum(drow)) {
cell_occupied[i][first.col] = fingerprint;
}
}
}
} // end of state
private State current_state, old_state;
static private final int WIDTH_EASY = 7;
private void NewGame(int hardness) {
switch(hardness) {
case EASY:
Log.d(getClass().getName(), "Initializing new easy game");
InitializeEasy();
old_state = getCurrentState().CloneWithoutConnections();
break;
}
}
public void ResetGame() {
if (old_state != null) {
Log.d(getClass().getName(), "Setting board_elements to old_elements");
setCurrentState(old_state.CloneWithoutConnections());
} else {
Log.d(getClass().getName(), "old_lements are zero");
}
}
public BoardCreation(int hardness) {
NewGame(hardness);
}
public boolean TryAddNewBridge(BoardElement start, BoardElement end, int count) {
assertEquals(count, 1);
assert (start != null);
assert (end != null);
final int fingerprint = ConnectionFingerprint(start, end);
Log.d(getClass().getName(),
String.format("considering (%d,%d) and (%d,%d)", start.row,start.col, end.row,end.col));
if (start.row == end.row && start.col == end.col) {
Log.d(getClass().getName(), "Same nodes selected!");
return false;
}
assert count > 0;
int dcol = end.col - start.col;
int drow = end.row - start.row;
// It must be a vertical or horizontal bridge:
if (Math.abs(dcol) > 0 && Math.abs(drow) > 0) {
Log.d(getClass().getName(), "not a horizontal or vertical bridge.");
return false;
}
// First we check whether start and end elements can take the specified bridge counts.
int count_start = start.GetCurrentCount();
int count_end = end.GetCurrentCount();
if (count_start + count > start.max_connecting_bridges ||
count_end + count > end.max_connecting_bridges) {
Log.d(getClass().getName(), "This Bridge is not allowed");
return false;
}
Log.d(getClass().getName(),
String.format("Sums:%d # (%d,%d) and %d # (%d,%d)",
count_start, start.row, start.col,
count_end, end.row, end.col));
Connection start_connection = null;
Connection end_connection = null;
// Next we check whether we are crossing any lines.
if (start.row == end.row) {
for (int i = (int) (start.col + Math.signum(dcol)); i != end.col; i += Math.signum(dcol)) {
if (getCurrentState().cell_occupied[start.row][i] > 0 &&
getCurrentState().cell_occupied[start.row][i] != fingerprint) {
Log.d(getClass().getName(), "Crossing an occupied cell.");
return false;
}
}
assert start.col != end.col;
if (start.col > end.col) {
start.connecting_east = GetOrCreateConnection(end, start.connecting_east);
end.connecting_west = GetOrCreateConnection(start, end.connecting_west);
start_connection = start.connecting_east;
end_connection = end.connecting_west;
} else {
start.connecting_west = GetOrCreateConnection(end, start.connecting_west);
end.connecting_east = GetOrCreateConnection(start, end.connecting_east);
start_connection = start.connecting_west;
end_connection = end.connecting_east;
}
} else {
assert start.col == end.col;
for (int i = (int) (start.row + Math.signum(drow)); i != end.row ; i += Math.signum(drow)) {
if (getCurrentState().cell_occupied[i][start.col] > 0 &&
getCurrentState().cell_occupied[i][start.col] != fingerprint) {
Log.d(getClass().getName(), "Crossing an occupied cell.");
return false;
}
}
if (start.row > end.row ) {
start.connecting_north = GetOrCreateConnection(end, start.connecting_north);
end.connecting_south = GetOrCreateConnection(start, end.connecting_south);
start_connection = start.connecting_north;
end_connection = end.connecting_south;
} else {
start.connecting_south= GetOrCreateConnection(end, start.connecting_south);
end.connecting_north = GetOrCreateConnection(start, end.connecting_north);
start_connection = start.connecting_south;
end_connection = end.connecting_north;
}
}
start_connection.destination = end;
end_connection.destination = start;
start_connection.second += count;
end_connection.second += count;
getCurrentState().AddToBridgeCache(start, end);
Log.d(getClass().getName(),
String.format("New bridge added. Sums:%d # (%d,%d) and %d # (%d,%d)",
count_start, start.row,start.col,
count_end, end.row,end.col));
return true;
}
private Connection GetOrCreateConnection(
BoardElement end,
Connection connection) {
if (connection!= null) { return connection; }
return new Connection();
}
#TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.N)
private void InitializeEasy() {
Random rand = new Random();
String[][] debug_board_state = new String[7][7];
setCurrentState(new State(WIDTH_EASY));
for (int row = 0; row < debug_board_state.length; row++) {
for (int column = 0; column < debug_board_state[row].length; column++) {
debug_board_state[row][column] = String.valueOf(rand.nextInt(5));
}
}
for (int row = 0; row < debug_board_state.length; row++) {
for (int column = 0; column < debug_board_state[row].length; column++) {
System.out.print(debug_board_state[row][column] + " ");
}
System.out.println();
}
for (int row = 0; row < WIDTH_EASY; ++row) {
for (int column = 0; column < WIDTH_EASY; ++column) {
getCurrentState().board_elements[row][column] = new BoardElement();
getCurrentState().board_elements[row][column].max_connecting_bridges = Integer.parseInt(debug_board_state[row][column]);
getCurrentState().board_elements[row][column].row = row;
getCurrentState().board_elements[row][column].col = column;
if (getCurrentState().board_elements[row][column].max_connecting_bridges > 0) {
getCurrentState().board_elements[row][column].is_island = true;
}
}
}
}
private void setCurrentState(State new_state) {
this.current_state = new_state;
}
public State getCurrentState() {
return current_state;
}
}
What algorithm could I use to make sure the Map can be Solved (Islands Connected with Bridges) before spawning the nodes.
This is what the map looks like (don't mind the design)

One thing to consider would be to start with a blank board. Place an island. Then place another island that can be connected to the first one (i.e. on one of the four cardinal directions). Connect the two with a bridge, and increment each island's count.
Now, pick one of the two islands and place another island that it can connect. Add the bridge and increment.
Continue in this way until you've placed the number of islands that you want to place.
The beauty here is that you start with an empty board, and during construction the board is always valid.
You'll have to ensure that you're not crossing bridges when you place new islands, but that's pretty easy to do, since you know where the existing bridges are.

basic planet wars ai issues

I am programming a very basic bot for planet wars in java and I cant seem to find the errors in my code. I am receiving a few different error messages but the main issue for me is the error: class, interface, or enum expected. Ive checked my brackets about a thousand times. Any help would be appreciated. Here's my bot code:
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Random;
import shared.Planet;
import shared.PlanetWars;
public class MyNewBot {
public static void doTurn(PlanetWars pw) {
// (1) If we currently have a fleet in flight, then do nothing until
// it arrives.
if (pw.myFleets().size() >= 10) {
return;
}
// (2) Pick one of my planets based on the number of ships
Planet source = null;
int largestForce = 0;
for (Planet p : pw.myPlanets()){
int force = pw.numShips();
if( force > largestForce){
largestForce = force;
source = p;
}
}
// (3) Pick a target planet at random.
Planet dest = null;
int highestGrowthRate = 0;
int shortestDistance = 9999;
for (Planet p = pw.notMyPlanets()){
int growthRate = pw.growthRate();
if( growthRate > highestGrowthRate){
highestGrowthRate = growthRate;
dest = p;
}else if (growthRate == highestGrowthRate){
int distance = pw.distance(source,p);
if (distance < shortestDistance){
shortestDistance = distance;
dest = p;
}
}
}
// (4) Send half the ships from source to destination.
if (source != null && dest != null) {
int numShips = source.numShips() / 2;
pw.issueOrder(source, dest, numShips);
}
}
// Ignore the main method unless you know what you're doing.
// Refer to the doTurn function to code your bot.
public static void main(String[] args) {
String line = "";
String message = "";
int c;
try {
while ((c = System.in.read()) >= 0) {
switch (c) {
case '\n':
if (line.equals("go")) {
PlanetWars pw = new PlanetWars(message);
doTurn(pw);
pw.finishTurn();
message = "";
} else {
message += line + "\n";
}
line = "";
break;
default:
line += (char) c;
break;
}
}
} catch (Exception e) {
// Owned.
}
}
}
and the supporting class files:
package shared;
public class Planet implements Cloneable {
private int planetID;
private int owner;
private int numShips;
private int growthRate;
private double x, y;
public Planet(int planetID, int owner, int numShips, int growthRate,
double x, double y) {
this.planetID = planetID;
this.owner = owner;
this.numShips = numShips;
this.growthRate = growthRate;
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
}
public int planetID() {
return planetID;
}
public int owner() {
return owner;
}
public int numShips() {
return numShips;
}
public int growthRate() {
return growthRate;
}
public double x() {
return x;
}
public double y() {
return y;
}
public void owner(int newOwner) {
this.owner = newOwner;
}
public void numShips(int newNumShips) {
this.numShips = newNumShips;
}
public void addShips(int amount) {
numShips += amount;
}
public void removeShips(int amount) {
numShips -= amount;
}
private Planet(Planet _p) {
planetID = _p.planetID;
owner = _p.owner;
numShips = _p.numShips;
growthRate = _p.growthRate;
x = _p.x;
y = _p.y;
}
public Object clone() {
return new Planet(this);
}
}
package shared;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Set;
import java.util.TreeSet;
public class PlanetWars {
// Constructs a PlanetWars object instance, given a string containing a
// description of a game state.
public PlanetWars(String gameStateString) {
planets = new ArrayList<Planet>();
fleets = new ArrayList<Fleet>();
parseGameState(gameStateString);
}
// Returns the number of planets. Planets are numbered starting with 0.
public int numPlanets() {
return planets.size();
}
// Returns the planet with the given planet_id. There are NumPlanets()
// planets. They are numbered starting at 0.
public Planet getPlanet(int planetID) {
return planets.get(planetID);
}
// Returns the number of fleets.
public int numFleets() {
return fleets.size();
}
// Returns the fleet with the given fleet_id. Fleets are numbered starting
// with 0. There are NumFleets() fleets. fleet_id's are not consistent from
// one turn to the next.
public Fleet getFleet(int fleetID) {
return fleets.get(fleetID);
}
// Returns a list of all the planets.
public List<Planet> planets() {
return planets;
}
// Return a list of all the planets owned by the current player. By
// convention, the current player is always player number 1.
public List<Planet> myPlanets() {
List<Planet> r = new ArrayList<Planet>();
for (Planet p : planets) {
if (p.owner() == 1) {
r.add(p);
}
}
return r;
}
// Return a list of all neutral planets.
public List<Planet> neutralPlanets() {
List<Planet> r = new ArrayList<Planet>();
for (Planet p : planets) {
if (p.owner() == 0) {
r.add(p);
}
}
return r;
}
// Return a list of all the planets owned by rival players. This excludes
// planets owned by the current player, as well as neutral planets.
public List<Planet> enemyPlanets() {
List<Planet> r = new ArrayList<Planet>();
for (Planet p : planets) {
if (p.owner() >= 2) {
r.add(p);
}
}
return r;
}
// Return a list of all the planets that are not owned by the current
// player. This includes all enemy planets and neutral planets.
public List<Planet> notMyPlanets() {
List<Planet> r = new ArrayList<Planet>();
for (Planet p : planets) {
if (p.owner() != 1) {
r.add(p);
}
}
return r;
}
// Return a list of all the fleets.
public List<Fleet> fleets() {
List<Fleet> r = new ArrayList<Fleet>();
for (Fleet f : fleets) {
r.add(f);
}
return r;
}
// Return a list of all the fleets owned by the current player.
public List<Fleet> myFleets() {
List<Fleet> r = new ArrayList<Fleet>();
for (Fleet f : fleets) {
if (f.owner() == 1) {
r.add(f);
}
}
return r;
}
// Return a list of all the fleets owned by enemy players.
public List<Fleet> enemyFleets() {
List<Fleet> r = new ArrayList<Fleet>();
for (Fleet f : fleets) {
if (f.owner() != 1) {
r.add(f);
}
}
return r;
}
// Returns the distance between two planets, rounded up to the next highest
// integer. This is the number of discrete time steps it takes to get
// between the two planets.
public int distance(int sourcePlanet, int destinationPlanet) {
Planet source = planets.get(sourcePlanet);
Planet destination = planets.get(destinationPlanet);
double dx = source.x() - destination.x();
double dy = source.y() - destination.y();
return (int) Math.ceil(Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy));
}
// Returns the distance between two planets, rounded up to the next highest
// integer. This is the number of discrete time steps it takes to get
// between the two planets.
public int distance(Planet source, Planet destination) {
double dx = source.x() - destination.x();
double dy = source.y() - destination.y();
return (int) Math.ceil(Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy));
}
// Sends an order to the game engine. An order is composed of a source
// planet number, a destination planet number, and a number of ships. A
// few things to keep in mind:
// * you can issue many orders per turn if you like.
// * the planets are numbered starting at zero, not one.
// * you must own the source planet. If you break this rule, the game
// engine kicks your bot out of the game instantly.
// * you can't move more ships than are currently on the source planet.
// * the ships will take a few turns to reach their destination. Travel
// is not instant. See the Distance() function for more info.
public void issueOrder(int sourcePlanet, int destinationPlanet, int
numShips) {
System.out.println("" + sourcePlanet + " " + destinationPlanet + " "
+ numShips);
System.out.flush();
}
// Sends an order to the game engine. An order is composed of a source
// planet number, a destination planet number, and a number of ships. A
// few things to keep in mind:
// * you can issue many orders per turn if you like.
// * the planets are numbered starting at zero, not one.
// * you must own the source planet. If you break this rule, the game
// engine kicks your bot out of the game instantly.
// * you can't move more ships than are currently on the source planet.
// * the ships will take a few turns to reach their destination. Travel
// is not instant. See the Distance() function for more info.
public void issueOrder(Planet source, Planet dest, int numShips) {
System.out.println("" + source.planetID() + " " + dest.planetID() + " "
+ numShips);
System.out.flush();
}
// Sends the game engine a message to let it know that we're done sending
// orders. This signifies the end of our turn.
public void finishTurn() {
System.out.println("go");
System.out.flush();
}
// Returns true if the named player owns at least one planet or fleet.
// Otherwise, the player is deemed to be dead and false is returned.
public boolean isAlive(int playerID) {
for (Planet p : planets) {
if (p.owner() == playerID) {
return true;
}
}
for (Fleet f : fleets) {
if (f.owner() == playerID) {
return true;
}
}
return false;
}
// If the game is not yet over (ie: at least two players have planets or
// fleets remaining), returns -1. If the game is over (ie: only one player
// is left) then that player's number is returned. If there are no
// remaining players, then the game is a draw and 0 is returned.
public int winner() {
Set<Integer> remainingPlayers = new TreeSet<Integer>();
for (Planet p : planets) {
remainingPlayers.add(p.owner());
}
for (Fleet f : fleets) {
remainingPlayers.add(f.owner());
}
switch (remainingPlayers.size()) {
case 0:
return 0;
case 1:
return ((Integer) remainingPlayers.toArray()[0]).intValue();
default:
return -1;
}
}
// Returns the number of ships that the current player has, either located
// on planets or in flight.
public int numShips(int playerID) {
int numShips = 0;
for (Planet p : planets) {
if (p.owner() == playerID) {
numShips += p.numShips();
}
}
for (Fleet f : fleets) {
if (f.owner() == playerID) {
numShips += f.numShips();
}
}
return numShips;
}
// Returns the production of the given player.
public int production(int playerID) {
int prod = 0;
for (Planet p : planets) {
if (p.owner() == playerID) {
prod += p.growthRate();
}
}
return prod;
}
// Parses a game state from a string. On success, returns 1. On failure,
// returns 0.
private int parseGameState(String s) {
planets.clear();
fleets.clear();
int planetID = 0;
String[] lines = s.split("\n");
for (int i = 0; i < lines.length; ++i) {
String line = lines[i];
int commentBegin = line.indexOf('#');
if (commentBegin >= 0) {
line = line.substring(0, commentBegin);
}
if (line.trim().length() == 0) {
continue;
}
String[] tokens = line.split(" ");
if (tokens.length == 0) {
continue;
}
if (tokens[0].equals("P")) {
if (tokens.length != 6) {
return 0;
}
double x = Double.parseDouble(tokens[1]);
double y = Double.parseDouble(tokens[2]);
int owner = Integer.parseInt(tokens[3]);
int numShips = Integer.parseInt(tokens[4]);
int growthRate = Integer.parseInt(tokens[5]);
Planet p = new Planet(planetID++, owner, numShips, growthRate,
x, y);
planets.add(p);
} else if (tokens[0].equals("F")) {
if (tokens.length != 7) {
return 0;
}
int owner = Integer.parseInt(tokens[1]);
int numShips = Integer.parseInt(tokens[2]);
int source = Integer.parseInt(tokens[3]);
int destination = Integer.parseInt(tokens[4]);
int totalTripLength = Integer.parseInt(tokens[5]);
int turnsRemaining = Integer.parseInt(tokens[6]);
Fleet f = new Fleet(owner, numShips, source, destination,
totalTripLength, turnsRemaining);
fleets.add(f);
} else {
return 0;
}
}
return 1;
}
// Store all the planets and fleets. OMG we wouldn't wanna lose all the
// planets and fleets, would we!?
private ArrayList<Planet> planets;
private ArrayList<Fleet> fleets;
}
package shared;
public class Fleet implements Comparable<Fleet>, Cloneable {
private int owner;
private int numShips;
private int sourcePlanet;
private int destinationPlanet;
private int totalTripLength;
private int turnsRemaining;
public Fleet(int owner, int numShips, int sourcePlanet,
int destinationPlanet, int totalTripLength, int turnsRemaining) {
this.owner = owner;
this.numShips = numShips;
this.sourcePlanet = sourcePlanet;
this.destinationPlanet = destinationPlanet;
this.totalTripLength = totalTripLength;
this.turnsRemaining = turnsRemaining;
}
public Fleet(int owner, int numShips) {
this.owner = owner;
this.numShips = numShips;
this.sourcePlanet = -1;
this.destinationPlanet = -1;
this.totalTripLength = -1;
this.turnsRemaining = -1;
}
public int owner() {
return owner;
}
public int numShips() {
return numShips;
}
public int sourcePlanet() {
return sourcePlanet;
}
public int destinationPlanet() {
return destinationPlanet;
}
public int totalTripLength() {
return totalTripLength;
}
public int turnsRemaining() {
return turnsRemaining;
}
public void removeShips(int amount) {
numShips -= amount;
}
// Subtracts one turn remaining. Call this function to make the fleet get
// one turn closer to its destination.
public void TimeStep() {
if (turnsRemaining > 0) {
--turnsRemaining;
} else {
turnsRemaining = 0;
}
}
#Override
public int compareTo(Fleet f) {
return this.numShips - f.numShips;
}
private Fleet(Fleet _f) {
owner = _f.owner;
numShips = _f.numShips;
sourcePlanet = _f.sourcePlanet;
destinationPlanet = _f.destinationPlanet;
totalTripLength = _f.totalTripLength;
turnsRemaining = _f.turnsRemaining;
}
public Object clone() {
return new Fleet(this);
}
}

for (Planet p = pw.notMyPlanets()){ should be for (Planet p : pw.notMyPlanets()){.
You've not posted the Fleet class, so as it is the code won't compile for me. However, the above is the only other error I could see.

Why do object arrays in my ArrayList fail to retain their values?

I am creating a program in Java to simulate evolution. The way I have it set up, each generation is composed of an array of Organism objects. Each of these arrays is an element in the ArrayList orgGenerations. Each generation, of which there could be any amount before all animals die, can have any amount of Organism objects.
For some reason, in my main loop when the generations are going by, I can have this code without errors, where allOrgs is the Organism array of the current generation and generationNumber is the number generations since the first.
orgGenerations.add(allOrgs);
printOrgs(orgGenerations.get(generationNumber));
printOrgs is a method to display an Organism array, where speed and strength are Organism Field variables:
public void printOrgs(Organism[] list)
{
for (int x=0; x<list.length; x++)
{
System.out.println ("For organism number: " + x + ", speed is: " + list[x].speed + ", and strength is " + list[x].strength + ".");
}
}
Later on, after this loop, when I am trying to retrieve the data to display, I call this very similar code:
printOrgs(orgGenerations.get(0));
This, and every other array in orgGenerations, return a null pointer exception on the print line of the for loop. Why are the Organism objects loosing their values?
Alright, here is all of the code from my main Simulation class. I admit, it might be sort of a mess. The parts that matter are the start and simulator methods. The battle ones are not really applicable to this problem. I think.
import java.awt.FlowLayout;
import java.util.*;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
public class Simulator {
//variables for general keeping track
static Organism[] allOrgs;
static ArrayList<Organism[]> orgGenerations = new ArrayList <Organism[]>();
ArrayList<Integer> battleList = new ArrayList<Integer>();
int deathCount;
boolean done;
boolean runOnce;
//setup
Simulator()
{
done = false;
Scanner asker = new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.println("Input number of organisms for the simulation: ");
int numOfOrgs = asker.nextInt();
asker.close();
Organism[] orgArray = new Organism[numOfOrgs];
for (int i=0; i<numOfOrgs; i++)
{
orgArray[i] = new Organism();
}
allOrgs = orgArray;
}
//graphsOrgs
public void graphOrgs() throws InterruptedException
{
JFrame f = new JFrame("Evolution");
f.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
f.setSize(1000,500);
f.setVisible(true);
Drawer bars = new Drawer();
//System.out.println(orgGenerations.size());
for (int iterator=0;iterator<(orgGenerations.size()-1); iterator++)
{
printOrgs(orgGenerations.get(0));
//The 0 can be any number, no matter what I do it wont work
//System.out.println("first");
f.repaint();
bars.data = orgGenerations.get(iterator);
f.add(bars);
//System.out.println("before");
Thread.sleep(1000);
//System.out.println("end");
}
}
//prints all Orgs and their statistics
public void printOrgs(Organism[] list)
{
System.out.println("Number Of Organisms: " + list.length);
for (int x=0; x<list.length; x++)
{
System.out.println ("For organism number: " + x + ", speed is: " + list[x].speed + ", and strength is " + list[x].strength + ".");
}
System.out.println();
}
//general loop for the organisms lives
public void start(int reproductionTime) throws InterruptedException
{
int generationNumber = 0;
orgGenerations.add(allOrgs);
printOrgs(orgGenerations.get(0));
generationNumber++;
while(true)
{
deathCount = 0;
for(int j=0; j<reproductionTime; j++)
{
battleList.clear();
for(int m=0; m<allOrgs.length; m++)
{
if (allOrgs[m].alive == true)
oneYearBattleCheck(m);
}
battle();
}
reproduction();
if (done == true)
break;
orgGenerations.add(allOrgs);
printOrgs(orgGenerations.get(generationNumber));
generationNumber++;
}
printOrgs(orgGenerations.get(2));
}
//Checks if they have to fight this year
private void oneYearBattleCheck(int m)
{
Random chaos = new Random();
int speedMod = chaos.nextInt(((int)Math.ceil(allOrgs[m].speed/5.0))+1);
int speedSign = chaos.nextInt(2);
if (speedSign == 0)
speedSign--;
speedMod *= speedSign;
int speed = speedMod + allOrgs[m].speed;
if (speed <= 0)
speed=1;
Random encounter = new Random();
boolean battle = false;
int try1 =(encounter.nextInt(speed));
int try2 =(encounter.nextInt(speed));
int try3 =(encounter.nextInt(speed));
int try4 =(encounter.nextInt(speed));
if (try1 == 0 || try2 == 0 || try3 == 0 || try4 == 0 )
{
battle = true;
}
if(battle == true)
{
battleList.add(m);
}
}
//Creates the matches and runs the battle
private void battle()
{
Random rand = new Random();
if (battleList.size()%2 == 1)
{
int luckyDuck = rand.nextInt(battleList.size());
battleList.remove(luckyDuck);
}
for(int k=0; k<(battleList.size()-1);)
{
int competitor1 = rand.nextInt(battleList.size());
battleList.remove(competitor1);
int competitor2 = rand.nextInt(battleList.size());
battleList.remove(competitor2);
//Competitor 1 strength
int strengthMod = rand.nextInt(((int)Math.ceil(allOrgs[competitor1].strength/5.0))+1);
int strengthSign = rand.nextInt(2);
if (strengthSign == 0)
strengthSign--;
strengthMod *= strengthSign;
int comp1Strength = strengthMod + allOrgs[competitor1].strength;
//Competitor 2 strength
strengthMod = rand.nextInt(((int)Math.ceil(allOrgs[competitor2].strength/5.0))+1);
strengthSign = rand.nextInt(2);
if (strengthSign == 0)
strengthSign--;
strengthMod *= strengthSign;
int comp2Strength = strengthMod + allOrgs[competitor2].strength;
//Fight!
if (comp1Strength>comp2Strength)
{
allOrgs[competitor1].life ++;
allOrgs[competitor2].life --;
}
else if (comp2Strength>comp1Strength)
{
allOrgs[competitor2].life ++;
allOrgs[competitor1].life --;
}
if (allOrgs[competitor1].life == 0)
{
allOrgs[competitor1].alive = false;
deathCount++;
}
if (allOrgs[competitor2].life == 0)
{
allOrgs[competitor2].alive = false;
deathCount ++ ;
}
}
}
//New organisms
private void reproduction()
{
//System.out.println("Number of deaths: " + deathCount + "\n");
if (deathCount>=(allOrgs.length-2))
{
done = true;
return;
}
ArrayList<Organism> tempOrgs = new ArrayList<Organism>();
Random chooser = new Random();
int count = 0;
while(true)
{
int partner1 = 0;
int partner2 = 0;
boolean partnerIsAlive = false;
boolean unluckyDuck = false;
//choose partner1
while (partnerIsAlive == false)
{
partner1 = chooser.nextInt(allOrgs.length);
if (allOrgs[partner1] != null)
{
if (allOrgs[partner1].alive == true)
{
partnerIsAlive = true;
}
}
}
count++;
//System.out.println("Count 2: " + count);
partnerIsAlive = false;
//choose partner2
while (partnerIsAlive == false)
{
if (count+deathCount == (allOrgs.length))
{
unluckyDuck=true;
break;
}
partner2 = chooser.nextInt(allOrgs.length);
if (allOrgs[partner2] != null)
{
if (allOrgs[partner2].alive == true)
{
partnerIsAlive = true;
}
}
}
if (unluckyDuck == false)
count++;
//System.out.println("count 2: " + count);
if (unluckyDuck == false)
{
int numOfChildren = (chooser.nextInt(4)+1);
for (int d=0; d<numOfChildren; d++)
{
tempOrgs.add(new Organism(allOrgs[partner1].speed, allOrgs[partner2].speed, allOrgs[partner1].strength, allOrgs[partner2].strength ));
}
allOrgs[partner1] = null;
allOrgs[partner2] = null;
}
if (count+deathCount == (allOrgs.length))
{
Arrays.fill(allOrgs, null);
allOrgs = tempOrgs.toArray(new Organism[tempOrgs.size()-1]);
break;
}
//System.out.println(count);
}
}
}
Main method:
public class Runner {
public static void main(String[] args) throws InterruptedException {
Simulator sim = new Simulator();
int lifeSpan = 20;
sim.start(lifeSpan);
sim.graphOrgs();
}
}
Organism class:
import java.util.Random;
public class Organism {
static Random traitGenerator = new Random();
int life;
int speed;
int strength;
boolean alive;
Organism()
{
speed = (traitGenerator.nextInt(49)+1);
strength = (50-speed);
life = 5;
alive = true;
}
Organism(int strength1, int strength2, int speed1, int speed2)
{
Random gen = new Random();
int speedMod = gen.nextInt(((int)Math.ceil((speed1+speed2)/10.0))+1);
int speedSign = gen.nextInt(2);
if (speedSign == 0)
speedSign--;
speedMod *= speedSign;
//System.out.println(speedMod);
int strengthMod = gen.nextInt(((int)Math.ceil((strength1+strength2)/10.0))+1);
int strengthSign = gen.nextInt(2);
if (strengthSign == 0)
strengthSign--;
strengthMod *= strengthSign;
//System.out.println(strengthMod);
strength = (((int)((strength1+strength2)/2.0))+ strengthMod);
speed = (((int)((speed1+speed2)/2.0))+ speedMod);
alive = true;
life = 5;
}
}
The problem lies in the graphOrgs class when I try to print to check if it is working in preparation for graphing the results. This is when it returns the error. When I try placing the print code in other places in the Simulator class the same thing occurs, a null pointer error. This happens even if it is just after the for loop where the element has been established.

You have code that sets to null elements in your allOrgs array.
allOrgs[partner1] = null;
allOrgs[partner2] = null;
Your orgGenerations list contains the same allOrgs instance multiple times.
Therefore, when you write allOrgs[partner1] = null, the partner1'th element becomes null in all the list elements of orgGenerations, which is why the print method fails.
You should create a copy of the array (you can use Arrays.copy) each time you add a new generation to the list (and consider also creating copies of the Organism instances, if you want each generation to record the past state of the Organisms and not their final state).

Time delay and JInput

OK, I don't know how to word this question, but maybe my code will spell out the problem:
public class ControllerTest
{
public static void main(String [] args)
{
GamePadController rockbandDrum = new GamePadController();
DrumMachine drum = new DrumMachine();
while(true)
{
try{
rockbandDrum.poll();
if(rockbandDrum.isButtonPressed(1)) //BLUE PAD HhiHat)
{
drum.playSound("hiHat.wav");
Thread.sleep(50);
}
if(rockbandDrum.isButtonPressed(2)) //GREEN PAD (Crash)
{
//Todo: Change to Crash
drum.playSound("hiHat.wav");
Thread.sleep(50);
}
//Etc....
}
}
}
public class DrumMachine
{
InputStream soundPlayer = null;
AudioStream audio = null;
static boolean running = true;
public void playSound(String soundFile)
{
//Tak a sound file as a paramater and then
//play that sound file
try{
soundPlayer = new FileInputStream(soundFile);
audio = new AudioStream(soundPlayer);
}
catch(FileNotFoundException e){
e.printStackTrace();
}
catch(IOException e){
e.printStackTrace();
}
AudioPlayer.player.start(audio);
}
//Etc... Methods for multiple audio clip playing
}
Now the problem is, if I lower the delay in the
Thread.sleep(50)
then the sound plays multiple times a second, but if I keep at this level or any higher, I could miss sounds being played...
It's an odd problem, where if the delay is too low, the sound loops. But if it's too high it misses playing sounds. Is this just a problem where I would need to tweak the settings, or is there any other way to poll the controller without looping sound?
Edit: If I need to post the code for polling the controller I will...
import java.io.*;
import net.java.games.input.*;
import net.java.games.input.Component.POV;
public class GamePadController
{
public static final int NUM_BUTTONS = 13;
// public stick and hat compass positions
public static final int NUM_COMPASS_DIRS = 9;
public static final int NW = 0;
public static final int NORTH = 1;
public static final int NE = 2;
public static final int WEST = 3;
public static final int NONE = 4; // default value
public static final int EAST = 5;
public static final int SW = 6;
public static final int SOUTH = 7;
public static final int SE = 8;
private Controller controller;
private Component[] comps; // holds the components
// comps[] indices for specific components
private int xAxisIdx, yAxisIdx, zAxisIdx, rzAxisIdx;
// indices for the analog sticks axes
private int povIdx; // index for the POV hat
private int buttonsIdx[]; // indices for the buttons
private Rumbler[] rumblers;
private int rumblerIdx; // index for the rumbler being used
private boolean rumblerOn = false; // whether rumbler is on or off
public GamePadController()
{
// get the controllers
ControllerEnvironment ce =
ControllerEnvironment.getDefaultEnvironment();
Controller[] cs = ce.getControllers();
if (cs.length == 0) {
System.out.println("No controllers found");
System.exit(0);
}
else
System.out.println("Num. controllers: " + cs.length);
// get the game pad controller
controller = findGamePad(cs);
System.out.println("Game controller: " +
controller.getName() + ", " +
controller.getType());
// collect indices for the required game pad components
findCompIndices(controller);
findRumblers(controller);
} // end of GamePadController()
private Controller findGamePad(Controller[] cs)
/* Search the array of controllers until a suitable game pad
controller is found (eith of type GAMEPAD or STICK).
*/
{
Controller.Type type;
int i = 0;
while(i < cs.length) {
type = cs[i].getType();
if ((type == Controller.Type.GAMEPAD) ||
(type == Controller.Type.STICK))
break;
i++;
}
if (i == cs.length) {
System.out.println("No game pad found");
System.exit(0);
}
else
System.out.println("Game pad index: " + i);
return cs[i];
} // end of findGamePad()
private void findCompIndices(Controller controller)
/* Store the indices for the analog sticks axes
(x,y) and (z,rz), POV hat, and
button components of the controller.
*/
{
comps = controller.getComponents();
if (comps.length == 0) {
System.out.println("No Components found");
System.exit(0);
}
else
System.out.println("Num. Components: " + comps.length);
// get the indices for the axes of the analog sticks: (x,y) and (z,rz)
xAxisIdx = findCompIndex(comps, Component.Identifier.Axis.X, "x-axis");
yAxisIdx = findCompIndex(comps, Component.Identifier.Axis.Y, "y-axis");
zAxisIdx = findCompIndex(comps, Component.Identifier.Axis.Z, "z-axis");
rzAxisIdx = findCompIndex(comps, Component.Identifier.Axis.RZ, "rz-axis");
// get POV hat index
povIdx = findCompIndex(comps, Component.Identifier.Axis.POV, "POV hat");
findButtons(comps);
} // end of findCompIndices()
private int findCompIndex(Component[] comps,
Component.Identifier id, String nm)
/* Search through comps[] for id, returning the corresponding
array index, or -1 */
{
Component c;
for(int i=0; i < comps.length; i++) {
c = comps[i];
if ((c.getIdentifier() == id) && !c.isRelative()) {
System.out.println("Found " + c.getName() + "; index: " + i);
return i;
}
}
System.out.println("No " + nm + " component found");
return -1;
} // end of findCompIndex()
private void findButtons(Component[] comps)
/* Search through comps[] for NUM_BUTTONS buttons, storing
their indices in buttonsIdx[]. Ignore excessive buttons.
If there aren't enough buttons, then fill the empty spots in
buttonsIdx[] with -1's. */
{
buttonsIdx = new int[NUM_BUTTONS];
int numButtons = 0;
Component c;
for(int i=0; i < comps.length; i++) {
c = comps[i];
if (isButton(c)) { // deal with a button
if (numButtons == NUM_BUTTONS) // already enough buttons
System.out.println("Found an extra button; index: " + i + ". Ignoring it");
else {
buttonsIdx[numButtons] = i; // store button index
System.out.println("Found " + c.getName() + "; index: " + i);
numButtons++;
}
}
}
// fill empty spots in buttonsIdx[] with -1's
if (numButtons < NUM_BUTTONS) {
System.out.println("Too few buttons (" + numButtons +
"); expecting " + NUM_BUTTONS);
while (numButtons < NUM_BUTTONS) {
buttonsIdx[numButtons] = -1;
numButtons++;
}
}
} // end of findButtons()
private boolean isButton(Component c)
/* Return true if the component is a digital/absolute button, and
its identifier name ends with "Button" (i.e. the
identifier class is Component.Identifier.Button).
*/
{
if (!c.isAnalog() && !c.isRelative()) { // digital and absolute
String className = c.getIdentifier().getClass().getName();
// System.out.println(c.getName() + " identifier: " + className);
if (className.endsWith("Button"))
return true;
}
return false;
} // end of isButton()
private void findRumblers(Controller controller)
/* Find the rumblers. Use the last rumbler for making vibrations,
an arbitrary decision. */
{
// get the game pad's rumblers
rumblers = controller.getRumblers();
if (rumblers.length == 0) {
System.out.println("No Rumblers found");
rumblerIdx = -1;
}
else {
System.out.println("Rumblers found: " + rumblers.length);
rumblerIdx = rumblers.length-1; // use last rumbler
}
} // end of findRumblers()
// ----------------- polling and getting data ------------------
public void poll()
// update the component values in the controller
{
controller.poll();
}
public int getXYStickDir()
// return the (x,y) analog stick compass direction
{
if ((xAxisIdx == -1) || (yAxisIdx == -1)) {
System.out.println("(x,y) axis data unavailable");
return NONE;
}
else
return getCompassDir(xAxisIdx, yAxisIdx);
} // end of getXYStickDir()
public int getZRZStickDir()
// return the (z,rz) analog stick compass direction
{
if ((zAxisIdx == -1) || (rzAxisIdx == -1)) {
System.out.println("(z,rz) axis data unavailable");
return NONE;
}
else
return getCompassDir(zAxisIdx, rzAxisIdx);
} // end of getXYStickDir()
private int getCompassDir(int xA, int yA)
// Return the axes as a single compass value
{
float xCoord = comps[ xA ].getPollData();
float yCoord = comps[ yA ].getPollData();
// System.out.println("(x,y): (" + xCoord + "," + yCoord + ")");
int xc = Math.round(xCoord);
int yc = Math.round(yCoord);
// System.out.println("Rounded (x,y): (" + xc + "," + yc + ")");
if ((yc == -1) && (xc == -1)) // (y,x)
return NW;
else if ((yc == -1) && (xc == 0))
return NORTH;
else if ((yc == -1) && (xc == 1))
return NE;
else if ((yc == 0) && (xc == -1))
return WEST;
else if ((yc == 0) && (xc == 0))
return NONE;
else if ((yc == 0) && (xc == 1))
return EAST;
else if ((yc == 1) && (xc == -1))
return SW;
else if ((yc == 1) && (xc == 0))
return SOUTH;
else if ((yc == 1) && (xc == 1))
return SE;
else {
System.out.println("Unknown (x,y): (" + xc + "," + yc + ")");
return NONE;
}
} // end of getCompassDir()
public int getHatDir()
// Return the POV hat's direction as a compass direction
{
if (povIdx == -1) {
System.out.println("POV hat data unavailable");
return NONE;
}
else {
float povDir = comps[povIdx].getPollData();
if (povDir == POV.CENTER) // 0.0f
return NONE;
else if (povDir == POV.DOWN) // 0.75f
return SOUTH;
else if (povDir == POV.DOWN_LEFT) // 0.875f
return SW;
else if (povDir == POV.DOWN_RIGHT) // 0.625f
return SE;
else if (povDir == POV.LEFT) // 1.0f
return WEST;
else if (povDir == POV.RIGHT) // 0.5f
return EAST;
else if (povDir == POV.UP) // 0.25f
return NORTH;
else if (povDir == POV.UP_LEFT) // 0.125f
return NW;
else if (povDir == POV.UP_RIGHT) // 0.375f
return NE;
else { // assume center
System.out.println("POV hat value out of range: " + povDir);
return NONE;
}
}
} // end of getHatDir()
public boolean[] getButtons()
/* Return all the buttons in a single array. Each button value is
a boolean. */
{
boolean[] buttons = new boolean[NUM_BUTTONS];
float value;
for(int i=0; i < NUM_BUTTONS; i++) {
value = comps[ buttonsIdx[i] ].getPollData();
buttons[i] = ((value == 0.0f) ? false : true);
}
return buttons;
} // end of getButtons()
public boolean isButtonPressed(int pos)
/* Return the button value (a boolean) for button number 'pos'.
pos is in the range 1-NUM_BUTTONS to match the game pad
button labels.
*/
{
if ((pos < 1) || (pos > NUM_BUTTONS)) {
System.out.println("Button position out of range (1-" +
NUM_BUTTONS + "): " + pos);
return false;
}
if (buttonsIdx[pos-1] == -1) // no button found at that pos
return false;
float value = comps[ buttonsIdx[pos-1] ].getPollData();
// array range is 0-NUM_BUTTONS-1
return ((value == 0.0f) ? false : true);
} // end of isButtonPressed()
// ------------------- Trigger a rumbler -------------------
public void setRumbler(boolean switchOn)
// turn the rumbler on or off
{
if (rumblerIdx != -1) {
if (switchOn)
rumblers[rumblerIdx].rumble(0.8f); // almost full on for last rumbler
else // switch off
rumblers[rumblerIdx].rumble(0.0f);
rumblerOn = switchOn; // record rumbler's new status
}
} // end of setRumbler()
public boolean isRumblerOn()
{ return rumblerOn; }
} // end of GamePadController class

I think you are using the wrong design pattern here. You should use the observer pattern for this type of thing.
A polling loop not very efficient, and as you've noticed doesn't really yield the desired results.
I'm not sure what you are using inside your objects to detect if a key is pressed, but if it's a GUI architecture such as Swing or AWT it will be based on the observer pattern via the use of EventListeners, etc.

Here is a (slightly simplified) Observer-pattern
applied to your situation.
The advantage of this design is that when a button
is pressed and hold, method 'buttonChanged' will
still only be called once, instead of start
'repeating' every 50 ms.
public static final int BUTTON_01 = 0x00000001;
public static final int BUTTON_02 = 0x00000002;
public static final int BUTTON_03 = 0x00000004;
public static final int BUTTON_04 = 0x00000008; // hex 8 == dec 8
public static final int BUTTON_05 = 0x00000010; // hex 10 == dec 16
public static final int BUTTON_06 = 0x00000020; // hex 20 == dec 32
public static final int BUTTON_07 = 0x00000040; // hex 40 == dec 64
public static final int BUTTON_08 = 0x00000080; // etc.
public static final int BUTTON_09 = 0x00000100;
public static final int BUTTON_10 = 0x00000200;
public static final int BUTTON_11 = 0x00000400;
public static final int BUTTON_12 = 0x00000800;
private int previousButtons = 0;
void poll()
{
rockbandDrum.poll();
handleButtons();
}
private void handleButtons()
{
boolean[] buttons = getButtons();
int pressedButtons = getPressedButtons(buttons);
if (pressedButtons != previousButtons)
{
buttonChanged(pressedButtons); // Notify 'listener'.
previousButtons = pressedButtons;
}
}
public boolean[] getButtons()
{
// Return all the buttons in a single array. Each button-value is a boolean.
boolean[] buttons = new boolean[MAX_NUMBER_OF_BUTTONS];
float value;
for (int i = 0; i < MAX_NUMBER_OF_BUTTONS-1; i++)
{
int index = buttonsIndex[i];
if (index < 0) { continue; }
value = comps[index].getPollData();
buttons[i] = ((value == 0.0f) ? false : true);
}
return buttons;
}
private int getPressedButtons(boolean[] array)
{
// Mold all pressed buttons into a single number by OR-ing their values.
int pressedButtons = 0;
int i = 1;
for (boolean isBbuttonPressed : array)
{
if (isBbuttonPressed) { pressedButtons |= getOrValue(i); }
i++;
}
return pressedButtons;
}
private int getOrValue(int btnNumber) // Get a value to 'OR' with.
{
int btnValue = 0;
switch (btnNumber)
{
case 1 : btnValue = BUTTON_01; break;
case 2 : btnValue = BUTTON_02; break;
case 3 : btnValue = BUTTON_03; break;
case 4 : btnValue = BUTTON_04; break;
case 5 : btnValue = BUTTON_05; break;
case 6 : btnValue = BUTTON_06; break;
case 7 : btnValue = BUTTON_07; break;
case 8 : btnValue = BUTTON_08; break;
case 9 : btnValue = BUTTON_09; break;
case 10 : btnValue = BUTTON_10; break;
case 11 : btnValue = BUTTON_11; break;
case 12 : btnValue = BUTTON_12; break;
default : assert false : "Invalid button-number";
}
return btnValue;
}
public static boolean checkButton(int pressedButtons, int buttonToCheckFor)
{
return (pressedButtons & buttonToCheckFor) == buttonToCheckFor;
}
public void buttonChanged(int buttons)
{
if (checkButton(buttons, BUTTON_01)
{
drum.playSound("hiHat.wav");
}
if (checkButton(buttons, BUTTON_02)
{
drum.playSound("crash.wav");
}
}

Please post more information about the GamePadController class that you are using.
More than likely, that same library will offer an "event" API, where a "callback" that you register with a game pad object will be called as soon as the user presses a button. With this kind of setup, the "polling" loop is in the framework, not your application, and it can be much more efficient, because it uses signals from the hardware rather than a busy-wait polling loop.
Okay, I looked at the JInput API, and it is not really event-driven; you have to poll it as you are doing. Does the sound stop looping when you release the button? If so, is your goal to have the sound play just once, and not again until the button is release and pressed again? In that case, you'll need to track the previous button state each time through the loop.
Human response time is about 250 ms (for an old guy like me, anyway). If you are polling every 50 ms, I'd expect the controller to report the button depressed for several iterations of the loop. Can you try something like this:
boolean played = false;
while (true) {
String sound = null;
if (controller.isButtonPressed(1))
sound = "hiHat.wav";
if (controller.isButtonPressed(2))
sound = "crash.wav";
if (sound != null) {
if (!played) {
drum.playSound(sound);
played = true;
}
} else {
played = false;
}
Thread.sleep(50);
}