Java, need help creating a method to select a specific element in an array

Question

I have several commands created to ask a user to add numbers to an array. I now need to be able to have the user select a specific element in the array and place an * on the selected element when printed out. I have the program separated into two classes: one class for storing and managing the array and the other handles user input and output.

For example here is the code in the class that handles input/output:

else if (cmd.equals("add"))
        {
            // add x command
            int x = input.nextInt();
            list.add(x);
            list.print();
        }

and here is the part in the class that deals with the array:

public void add(int x)
{
    // Expand the list capacity if necessary
    if (count >= list.length)
    {
        // Allocate a new longer list
        int[] newList = new int[list.length + 5];

        // Copy existing numbers to new list
        for (int i = 0; i < list.length; i++)
        {
            newList[i] = list[i];
        }

        // Reassign the list to be the new one
        list = newList;
    }

    // Add x to the end of the list
    list[count] = x;
    count++;
}

This is the command created to add entries to the array(and enlarge the array if necessary), now I just need help creating a command to allow a user to select a specific entry in the array and place an * in front of it.

Since it's an int array, you're not going to be able to add a "" in front of anything. You could keep track of the selected index and when required to print it, insert the "" into the output — MadProgrammer
– MadProgrammer, Commented Feb 25, 2015 at 3:47
Good to know, im mostly just at a loss on how to create the command to select a specific index. — PFKrang
– PFKrang, Commented Feb 25, 2015 at 3:54

Clint · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-25 04:07:32Z

1

Prompt the user, then read in and store the selected index in a variable. Do a check in your printing for-loop.

Scanner kb = new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.println("Enter the index of an element:");
int selectedElement = kb.nextInt();

Then when printing..

for (int i = 0; i < list.length; i++) { if(i == selectedElement) // and then print out the * in front of it }

edited Feb 25, 2015 at 4:07

answered Feb 25, 2015 at 3:56

Clint

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Comments

Ryan Shukis · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-25 03:59:36Z

0

Well, you could always print out the array, using the index to display which value you are displaying. You could also display it as index + 1, so it's more user-friendly (that way, the user isn't wondering why the numbering starts at 0). For example (this would be what the output might look like):

1) First value.

2) Second value.

3) Third value.

Please enter the number that you would like to print out, then press enter.

Once the user enters a value, you can subtract 1 from it to get the index of the array, and then print it out appropriately.

I hope I understood your question correctly, and I hope this helps.

answered Feb 25, 2015 at 3:59

Ryan Shukis

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2 Comments

Kick Buttowski Over a year ago

I tried to make sense out your answer but it is not clear what you try to convey to me.

Ryan Shukis Over a year ago

It would just be a matter of printing the array out to the user, allowing the user to enter an index that they would like to print, and printing out the array as a list with a * next to the chosen index.

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