How do you Alphabetically order a String array using a Char array?

Question

Okay so here's what I have so far:

Scanner key = new Scanner (System.in);
String[] main = new String[10];

for(int k = 0; k< main.length; k++)
{
   System.out.println("Enter a lower case letter! ");
   main[k] = key.nextLine();
}
for(int z = 1; z < 11; z++)
{
    char[] array = main[z-1].toCharArray();
    System.out.println(array);
}        
for(char c : array)
{
   System.out.println(c);
}

However, I have not found a way to print it, I think the char array is set up correctly, but I have little knowledge of how char arrays work. Also, it is worth noting that I cannot use Arrays.sort; however, I can use String.compareTo. I am trying to get a string array like a,j,d,f,h,y,d,a,d,g to print it out in alphabetical order without using Arrays.sort.

The code you posted can't compile/ You're trying to access array from the outside of the block where it's defined. What are you trying to achieve? Use an example. Let's say you have an array containing "hello", "world" and 8 other strings. Then what? — JB Nizet
– JB Nizet, Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:54
is your question to sort the array, or print it? you can find how to print an array here stackoverflow.com/questions/409784/…. — baseballlover723
– baseballlover723, Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:54
If you want to sort the array without using a built in, I would recommend some of the simpler sorting algorithms. check out bubble sort for example. it is not an efficient algorithm, but it is a straight forward one. — chatton
– chatton, Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:57

prem kumar · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-15 21:10:28Z

3

You can use java.util.Arrays sort() method.

//public static void sort(char[] a)

char[] a = {'c','a','b'};
Arrays.sort(a);

You can convert String to char array and sort the char array and create a new String out of it.

If you want to sort array of Strings(or in general for any Objects which implement Comparable interface), use

public static void sort(Object[] a)

edited Nov 15, 2016 at 21:10

answered Nov 15, 2016 at 20:54

prem kumar

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6 Comments

TheFaceHugger Over a year ago

I cannot use any imported utilities, sorry

prem kumar Over a year ago

but it belongs to java.utils package not external dependency

bradimus Over a year ago

@premkumar You imported Scanner.

prem kumar Over a year ago

@bradimus how? only java.util.Arrays will be imported .

bradimus Over a year ago

Sorry, comment was meant for @TheFaceHugger

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