assigning array index number to variable in for loop java

Question

First Day with Java and I am getting an error in the for loop when I add the array index to the variable minIndex. I'm not sure exactly what to put in as the value in the (). I tried i but that didn't work and with my lack of knowledge in java, I am unsure. May I have some guidance please.

public static int minPosition(double[] list) {
     double leastNum;
     leastNum = list[0];
     // leastNum starts at first number in array
     int minIndex;
     minIndex = 1;
     // minIndex starts at 1 as if first number in Array happens to be the lowest, its index will be one
     for ( int i = 0; i < list.length; i++)
         if (list[i] < leastNum)
             leastNum = list[i];
             minIndex = list.indexof(i);
     return minIndex;

You need braces for the block of statements in your if statement — scottb
– scottb, Commented Apr 6, 2015 at 4:05

Eran · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-06 04:08:56Z

1

i is the index.

change

minIndex = list.indexof(i);

to

minIndex = i;

You should also change

minIndex = 1;

to

minIndex = 0;

since the first index of an array is 0.

As commented, you have some missing curly braces. Here's the full code :

public static int minPosition(double[] list) {
     double leastNum = list[0];
     // leastNum starts at first number in array
     int minIndex = 0;
     // minIndex starts at 0 as if first number in Array happens to be the lowest, its index will be one
     for ( int i = 0; i < list.length; i++) // you can also start with i = 1
                                            // since you initialize leastNum
                                            // with the first element
         if (list[i] < leastNum) {
             leastNum = list[i];
             minIndex = i;
         }
     return minIndex;
}

edited Apr 6, 2015 at 4:08

answered Apr 6, 2015 at 4:00

Eran

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4 Comments

user406009 Over a year ago

He also needs a block around the if statement. (Adding one around the for statement would be good style as well)

scottb Over a year ago

The minIndex logic looks good as is. It is the initial index of the mininum value in the array. No need to compare it to itself.

Christopher Jakob Over a year ago

thank you @Eran here is what I did, but currently I still have an error the error states "i cannot be resolved to a varriable" can you explain please

Eran Over a year ago

@scottb since leastNumis initialized to list[0], minIndex should be initialized to 0. I agree, though, that i can start at 1 instead of 0.

user2575725 · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-06 04:15:59Z

0

There is no such method in primitive array indexof():

public static int minPosition(double[] list) {
     int minIndex = 0;//replaced
     double leastNum = list[minIndex];//replaced
     for ( int i = 1; i < list.length; i++) {//braces recommended, also `i` starts with `1`
         if (list[i] < leastNum) {//braces required, since you have more than one line to execute
             leastNum = list[i];
             minIndex = i;//replaced
         }
     }
     return minIndex;
}

answered Apr 6, 2015 at 4:15

user2575725

1 Comment

Christopher Jakob Over a year ago

ok this makes alot of sense . And now I fully understand the braces. thank you

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