Re: Need basic help....

TheBigPJ wrote:
Ive got this far...


class q4 {

It is conventional to start classnames with a capital letter. e.g. Q4. This avoids confusing other people who are reading youir code. "q4" looks like a variable name or method name.

class Q4

char a;

public static void main(String[] args) {

I find it easier to read if you indent the contents of methods a further four spaces. This is a Java convention.

q4 blah = new q4();
blah.newa();
blah.newa(); //must put command line here

I don't understand your comment.

From your homework description you need to instantiate a *separate* object and initialise it with a specific value.

Q4 object2 = new Q4();
object2.newa('b');

Normally you allow for initialisation in the constructor. you can have several constructors with different "signatures" (same name, different number or types of argument)

Q4 object2 = new Q4('b');


blah.returna();

You are throwing away the returned value.

char retrievedChar = blah.returna();

There is a convention that "accessor" methods have names starting "get" and that words within a variable name or method name are distinguished by capitalizing the first letter of each word:

char retrievedChar = blah.getA();

Maybe you should use the result in some way?

System.out.println(retrievedChar);
or just
System.out.println(blah.getA());

However your lecturer said your object should provide a method that does this. I'd create a printA() method.

}

public void newa() {
a = ' ';
}

public void newa(char a) {
this.a = a;
}

public char returna() {

See earlier notes about accessor names.

// Save to a file here

I'd have a separate saveToFile() method. Leave this until later.

return a;
}
}

But I don't think i am not on the right track :S


You're on the right track but could do some refactoring. I would proceed in small steps and just try to satisfy the first one or two requirements before adding more functionality.

You could be a bit more inventive with class and method names. If you've already covered "inner classes" using one might help separate the Question number from a meaningful name for the class that holds the character.

class Q4 {

public static void main (String[] args) {
CharacterHolder firstCharacter = new CharacterHolder ();
firstCharacter.printValueToScreen();

CharacterHolder secondCharacter = new CharacterHolder ('b');
secondCharacter.printValueToScreen();
secondCharacter.printValueToFile("second character.txt");
}

class CharacterHolder {
char value;
public CharacterHolder() {
value = ' ';
}
public CharacterHolder(char newCharacter) {
value = newCharacter;
}
// etc etc
}

}

I find that using long meaningful names helps me understand and structure my code better. Using short names can quickly lead to confusion.
.