Java initializing a pure struct

Question

Here is what I'm trying to do:

public class myClass
{
  int x;
  int y;
}

I have learned c++, so I tried to do this:

myClass [] a  = new myClass[5];
for(int i =0; i < 4; i++)
    a[i].x = 0;

This doesnt do anything, because all a[i] are null.

I know this is against the basic principal of Java, but there is a product called Alljoyn, which force me to do this, see:

https://www.alljoyn.org/docs-and-downloads/documentation/guide-alljoyn-development-using-java-sdk-rev-j#unique_28

AllJoyn doesnt allow constructor or other methods in the class. Is there any other way to initialize a pure struct?

Have you looked at: stackoverflow.com/questions/36701/struct-like-objects-in-java and stackoverflow.com/questions/5889034/…? — PM 77-1
– PM 77-1, Commented Mar 18, 2013 at 21:04
Java graciously adds a default constructor to all classes that define no constructors at all. You can create instances of your struct class by calling new myClass(). — Perception
– Perception, Commented Mar 18, 2013 at 21:05

Adam Stelmaszczyk · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-12 21:00:07Z

5

In Java there is no such thing as struct. What you presented is a class.
As you observed a[i] is null, because references in your array are initialized to null. You haven't created any object yet. Use a[i] = new myClass() in your loop. This 0-argument constructor for class myClass will be generated by Java.
Names of the classes in Java are written LikeThis by convention.
a[i].x = 0 is useless. Read about primitive data types in Java. int fields are by default initialized to 0 by compiler.
By doing i < 4 you don't initialize the last element (5th one). Better always do i < a.length.

edited Dec 12, 2013 at 21:00

answered Mar 18, 2013 at 21:05

Adam Stelmaszczyk

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2 Comments

nmr Over a year ago

I wouldn't call these "bad" C++ habits. Struct variable assignment is not a bad idea, it can be useful.

n611x007 Over a year ago

you have corrected the code. could you add what should OP do in Java, when [s]he conceptually attempts to "initialize struct instances"?

igarcia · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-18 21:02:00Z

2

You are not initializing any object, try:

myClass [] a  = new myClass[5];
for(int i =0; i < 4; i++){
    a[i] = new myClass();
    a[i].x = 0;
}

answered Mar 18, 2013 at 21:02

igarcia

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Comments

Jean Logeart · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-18 21:02:02Z

1

You need to first instialize all the myClass of your array:

myClass[] a  = new myClass[5];
for(int i =0; i < 4; i++) {
    a[i] = new MyClass();
    a[i].x = 0;
}

answered Mar 18, 2013 at 21:02

Jean Logeart

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