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Failed to pass array as parameter in java

I have a method doSomething() which accept Array as parameter. When I pass array like bellow:
package org.my;
public class ArrayMistry {
public static void main(String ... args) {
doSomething({1,2});// Compilation Error
}
public static void doSomething(int[] params) {
}
}
I am getting compilation error:
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.Error: Unresolved compilation
problems: Syntax error on token "doSomething", # expected before
this token Syntax error, insert "enum Identifier" to complete
EnumHeader Syntax error, insert "EnumBody" to complete
BlockStatements
at org.my.ArrayMistry.main(ArrayMistry.java:6)
Note:
if I pass as bellow then its OK:
public static void main(String ... args) {
int[] p = {1,2};
doSomething(p);// no Error
doSomething(new int[]{1,2});// no Error
}

Arrays are passed by reference. You need to create an array object with [1,2] and pass the reference of that created object to dosomething. The new keyword allocates space for the creation of this int array.
int[] arr = new int[]{1,2};
doSomething(arr);

It's because you aren't declaring {1, 2} as a new array. It must be declared as new int[]{1,2} to function properly, otherwise you are not creating an array.

You have to make an array to pass into a method because you initialized the method that way. The reason this doSomething({1,2}); doesn't work is because the array has not been initialized and {1, 2} is not an array, it is just some numbers in a parenthesis. if you wanted to send an array you have to do something like this
int[] p = {1,2};
doSomething(p);

Your method doSomething() specifically accepts an array of integers as its parameters.
Note in both cases where it worked, you either passed an existing array, or created a new one when passing it in.
In your original example, you are passing an arbitrary set of numbers with no memory reserved, or type specified.

Another way to solve the problem is by passing a reference as a parameter to the function like this:
doSomething(new int[]{1,2});

Theoretical: about Java recognizing an Array name and its values

I had to make a program which was able to print symbols based off an array with numbers, with the numbers corresponding to the amount of symbols to print.
I got this to work; here is the code:
class printChart {
int[] values;
void barChart(int[] values){
for (int i=0;i<values.length;i++){
int number = values[i];
for (int j=0;j<number;j++){
System.out.print("*");
}
System.out.println();
}
}
void demo(){
barChart(new int[] {2,5,0,4,3});
}
public static void main(String[] args){
new printChart().demo();
}
}
My question is as follows: How does Java know that the {2,5,0,4,3} array should be assigned to the variable values? I'm assuming it's because I set void barChart to pass along int[] values, but I'd like to know more about the inner workings and what's going on exactly.

In Java, everything is pass-by-value and it is also important to know what the value is.
This method
void demo(){
barChart(new int[] {2,5,0,4,3});
}
Do the same as this one
void demo(){
int[] arr = new int[] {2,5,0,4,3};
barChart(arr);
}
In the first one, there is created new array with 2,5,0,4,3 values and its reference is copied to parameter values in barChart method.
In second one, there is created new array with 2,5,0,4,3 values and its reference is copied to variable arr. Then the value of arr (which is reference to array) is copied to parameter values in barChart method.
And this is how it works and why barChart method knows the values.
Also good point by Łukasz, the second line does not do anything in your program, therefore you can change this :
class printChart {
int[] values;
void barChart(int[] values){
to this
class printChart {
void barChart(int[] values){

I'm not so sure what your question is, but let me tell you bit what you've done.
You've implemented a method(function) named void barChart(int[] value)
To run this method you must need to pass a one dimensional Array of Integer values to it.
Now comes the interesting part.
You've created a class Variable int[] values; in code line 2.
Also you've have created the lokal variable "value" in the method void barChart(int[] value).
What you've done is called overshadowing. The method "barChart()" only uses the lokal value which is passed to it when it is called.
You never used the class variable once, hence you could delete it.
Now if you want to use the class variable you could either:
a) Change the name of the variable (class or local)
b) In the method "barChart" write a this.value instead of just value. This will ensure that you are using the class variable and not the local one.

creating arrays on-demand in java

I consider myself an intermediate Java programmer having been at it for a year and a half and having some experience in other languages. However I have run into an issue that I feel I need an experts help on.
As I understand it arrays when created by java exist somewhat outside of where they were created i.e. if you create an array called s in one class and another called s in a second class then try to use both those classes as part of a program you will run into problems with them overwriting each other.
However this brings me to an interesting dilemma. What if one wanted to create a unique array on-demand for an infinite number of sets of user input. i.e. is it possible to have the user enter a string value for use as the array name or have a generic value that then gets a number or letter appended to it. This is more a theoretical issue (there being other ways to accomplish the same thing) but any insight would be greatly appreciated.

i.e. is it possible to have the user enter a string value for use as
the array name or have a generic value that then gets a number or
letter appended to it.
The user should not need to care about your array names. The name of an array should neither be visible to the user, nor should it affect your application in any way.
If you want to allow the user to create collections of elements that he can store under a FriendlyName you could use a (Hash)map for that:
Map<String, Integer[]> userDefinedArrays = new HashMap<>();
userDefinedArrays.put("NameTheUserSelectsForThisArray", new Integer[]{1,2,3});
The "Key" of this map will be the FriendlyName provided by the user - he still does not know, that the actual map is called userDefinedArrays - or even someMapThatHoldsSomeThingsTheUserWantToUse.
The name of a actual variable needs to be set during designtime and is fixed (at least in java)
if you create an array called s in one class and another called s in a second class then try to use both those classes as part of a program you will run into problems with them overwriting each other.
No! Each Variable declared exists inside it's own scope! You can change the value of an array inside it's scope, and also reuse the same name inside different scopes - it doesn't matter. If you try to redeclare a variable already existing withing the current scope your compiler will warn you! - you simple can not do that.
Example:
class MyApplication{
public static void Main(String[] args){
Integer[] arr1;
Integer[] arr1; //Compiler error!
}
}
but:
class MyApplication{
public static void Main(String[] args){
Integer[] arr1;
Integer[] arr2;
}
}
or
class MyApplication{
public static void Main(String[] args){
foo();
bar();
}
public static void foo(){
Integer[] arr1;
}
public static void bar(){
Integer[] arr1;
}
}
is fine. arr1 just exists within the scope of either foo() or bar().

As I understand it arrays when created by java exist somewhat outside of where they were created i.e. if you create an array called s in one class and another called s in a second class then try to use both those classes as part of a program you will run into problems with them overwriting each other.
I think maybe you are misunderstanding. This will not happen unless you do it intentionally like yshavit points out in your comments. A member of a class named S in the class Cat, will not point to a member named S in the Dog class. You would have to go out of your way to do this.
In short, this will not happen by accident most of the time if you are instantiating your classes without passing references between them when you do.
What if one wanted to create a unique array on-demand for an infinite number of sets of user input.
You may want to use an ArrayList
ArrayList<String[]> myList = new ArrayList<String[]>();
Or a hashmap
Map<Integer,String[]> myMap = new HashMap<Integer,String[]>();
Which one you use depends on what you are using it for. If you need faster access to arbitrary elements use a map. If you plan to access them iteratively, an ArrayList will work fine.
is it possible to have the user enter a string value for use as the array name or have a generic value that then gets a number or letter appended to it. This is more a theoretical issue (there being other ways to accomplish the same thing) but any insight would be greatly appreciated.
In this case you want to use the hashmap solution, You can choose the key type of a map in java quite easily.
You will want to read this
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/util/Map.html
or this, to get started.
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/util/ArrayList.html

Two different class you're talking about is ClassOne & ClassTwo in my example. As you told, there is some kind of conflict while keeping the field name same. I've used arr for both classes. The reason to make MyArray super class is just code reuse. Why I used abstract MyArray class & why I used public static field isn't our matter of discussion. In TestApp, I've used arr of both classes ClassOne & ClassTwo without any problem.is it possible to have the user enter a string value for use as the array nameIMHO it may be possible using Reflection API or Dynamically Typed Language can do it. I'm not much sure about that.
class ClassOne extends MyArray {
public static int[] arr = new int[5];
}
class ClassTwo extends MyArray {
public static int[] arr = new int[5];
}
abstract class MyArray {
public static void setValue(int arr[], int index, int value) {
arr[index] = value;
}
public static void printArray(int[] arr) {
for (int i = 0; i < arr.length; i++) {
System.out.print(arr[i] + " ");
}
System.out.println();
}
}
public class TestApp {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ClassOne.setValue(ClassOne.arr, 1, 30);
ClassTwo.setValue(ClassTwo.arr, 1, 50);
ClassOne.printArray(ClassOne.arr);
ClassOne.printArray(ClassTwo.arr);
ClassTwo.printArray(ClassOne.arr);
ClassTwo.printArray(ClassTwo.arr);
}
}

Java passing arrays into object issue

In java, how do you pass an array into a class. When ever I do I get a "Can not refrence a non-static variable in a static context". the array has 10 positions. I declared the array as.
edit: is this a clearer example? I should also make note that my teacher completely ignored what is static, and how it is used, claiming it isnt important for the programmer to understand.
edit 2: I managed to get it to work by taking
sorter sort = new sorter();
and turned it into
static sorter sort = new sorter();
what exactly did this do to my program, is this considred a bad fix?
main
public class example {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int[] test = new int[10];
sorter sort = new sorter();
sort.GetArray(test);
}
}
class
public class sorter {
int[] InputAR = new int[10];
public sorter
{
}
public void GetArray(int[] a)
{
}
}

You didn't put enough code, put my guess is :
You declared a non-static field (like int[] test = new int[10] instead of static int ...)
the sort.getArray is in the main or in another static method.
This is not possible, because non static fields need a concrete object to exist.

Its because you are calling sort.GetArray(test) in some static method. You need to make your array variable static so as to access it.
Just read this article and you will understand the issue with your code.

"Can not refrence a non-static varible in a static context"
This error of yours has nothing to do with passing arrays or something.Somewhere in your code,or may be inside public void GetArray(int[] a) you a refering a static member but, with a non-static context.
Make that variable non-static, or the method static, or vice-versa.
Refer This Link for more info.

Array and methods?

I'm doing a task for a course in Java programming and I'm not sure how the following thing is working? The method below takes the value from an array and a integer. The integer should be added to the array and then be used outside the method in other methods and so on, but how could this work when the method has no return for the new content of the array? There is a void in the method? Have I missed something? Preciate some help? Is there something about pointers?
public static void makeTransaction(int[] trans, int amount);

Arrays in Java are objects. If you modify the trans array inside the method, the changes will be reflected outside of it1. Eg:
public static void modify(int[] arr)
{
arr[0] = 10;
}
public static void main(...)
{
int x = {1, 2, 3};
System.out.println(x[0]); // prints 1
modify(x);
System.out.println(x[0]); // now it prints 10
}
Note that native arrays can't be dynamically resized in Java. You will have to use something like ArrayList if you need to do that. Alternatively you can change the return type to int[] and return a new array with the new element "appended" to the old array:
public static int[] makeTransaction(int[] trans, int amount)
{
int[] new_trans = Arrays.copyOf(trans, trans.length + 1);
new_trans[trans.length] = amount;
return new_trans;
}
1 It is also worth noting that as objects, array references are passed by value, so the following code has no effect whatsoever outside of the method:
public void no_change(int[] arr)
{
arr = new int[arr.length];
}

You can't add anything to an array. Java arrays have a fixed length. So indeed, what you want to do is impossible. You might make the method return an int[] array, but it would be a whole new array, containing all the elements of the initial one + the amount passed as argument.
If you want to add something to an array-like structure, use an ArrayList<Integer>.

Do you have to keep the method signature as is?
Also, can you be a bit more specific. When you say "the integer should be added to the array", are you referring to the amount argument? If so, then how is that amount added? Do we place it somewhere in the array or is it placed at the end, thus extending the array's length?
As far as pointers go, Java's pointers are implicit, so if you don't have a strong enough knowledge of the language, then it might not be so clear to you. Anyways, I believe that Java methods usually will pass objects by reference, and primitives by value. But, even that isn't entirely true. If you were to assign your object argument to new object, when the method terminates, the variable that you passed to the method is the same after the method executed as it was before. But, if you were to change the argument's member attributes, then when the method terminated those attributes values will be the same as they were inside of the method.
Anyways, back to your question, I believe that will work because an array is an object. So, if you were to do the following:
public static void makeTransaction(int[] trans, int amount)
{
trans[0] = amount;
}
// static int i;
/**
* #param args
*/
public static void main(String[] args)
{
int[] trans = {0,1,3};
makeTransaction(trans, 10);
for(int i = 0; i<trans.length; i++)
{
System.out.println(trans[i]);
}
}
The output of the array will be:
10
1
3
But, watch this. What if I decided to implement makeTransaction like so:
public static void makeTransaction(int[] trans, int amount)
{
trans[0] = amount;
trans = new int[3];
}
What do you think that the output will be? Will it be set to all zero's or will be the same as it was before? The answer is that the output will be the same as it was before. This ties in to what I was saying earlier.
I might've assigned that pointer to a new object in memory, but your copy of the pointer inside of the main method remains the same. It still points to the same place in memory as it did before. When the makeTransaction method terminates, the new int[3] object that I created inside of it is available for garbage collection. The original array remains intact. So, when people say that Java passes objects by reference, it's really more like passing objects' references by value.