Re: Easy Programming Question

Question

Hi stardust,
if the function would be written as in the example, it would have to following form:
int smallNails, largeNails;
inputAmounts(smallNails,largeNails);
public void inputAmounts(int param1, int param2)
  System.out.print("Enter number of small nails: ");
  param1 = Keyboard.readInt();
  System.out.print("Enter number of large nails: ");
  param2 = Keyboard.readInt();
  }This would not work because of a simple reason:
The readint() function would modify the local variables param1 and param2 but there is no way to copy these values back to to original parameters smallNails and largeNails. So all input would be lost as soon as inputAmount() ends.
Hint for finding a solution:
Create a new object "NailCount" with two variables "smallNails" and "largeNails". Create an instance of this object in the main function and use it as parameter to InputAmount(). InputAmount() can then modify the smallNails/largeNails in "NailCount".
Andreas

Answer 1

Andreas_S. wrote:
Hint for finding a solution:
Create a new object "NailCount" with two variables "smallNails" and "largeNails". Create an instance of this object in the main function and use it as parameter to InputAmount(). InputAmount() can then modify the smallNails/largeNails in "NailCount".Side effects are icky. Use return values.