Assign a value to an array in Java?

Question

I'm currently working on a text editor. I have an entire GUI working, and now I'm trying to add usability to it.

For some reason, when I try to create an array called symbols, NetBeans is fine with it -- when I try to assign a value to the array, NetBeans won't compile my program, and will instead give an error and suggest it make a new class for the array.

Example code:

String[] symbols = new String[42]; symbols[0] = "∑"; // Error line!

Here's an image: http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4844/examplegx.png

Does anyone know the solution to fix this or has this happened to you? If I need to provide more detail, let me know.

Jon Skeet · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-18 19:52:21Z

8

You're trying to put an arbitrary statement directly in your class declaration, instead of in a method, constructor or initializer block. You can't do that.

Some options:

Do it in the constructor:

public GUI()
{
    symbols[0] = "∑";
}

Do it in an initializer block:

String[] symbols = new String[42]; 
{
    symbols[0] = "∑";
}

Do it in a method called by the initializer:

String[] symbols = getDefaultSymbols();

private static String[] getDefaultSymbols()
{
    String[] ret = new String[42];
    ret[0] = "∑";
    return ret;
}

Use an array initializer:

String[] symbols = { "∑", null, null, null, ... };

Note that your question is phrased as if Netbeans were to blame. It's not Netbeans - it's the Java language rules. Your code wouldn't be valid under Eclipse, javac, IntelliJ etc.

answered Jan 18, 2011 at 19:52

Jon Skeet

1.5m893 gold badges9.3k silver badges9.3k bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Math Student Over a year ago

Thank you very much for the help, this code worked for my program.

Christophe Roussy Over a year ago

This is a good example as it shows the use of a function call to initialize a value, few people know this is possible.

Peter Lawrey · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-18 19:52:33Z

3

You cannot place code outside a method or initializer block. What you can do is;

String[] symbols = new String[42]; { symbols[0] = "∑"; }

You can also define your symbols this way

String[] symbols = "∑,+,-,/,*,^".split(",");

answered Jan 18, 2011 at 19:52

Peter Lawrey

535k83 gold badges770 silver badges1.2k bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Assign a value to an array in Java?

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related