Thread: Need help with creating simple calculater

Hey,

I made myself a small calculator, but I want to to choose what to use instead of only using plus.

import java.util.Scanner;
 
class calculator{
	public static void main(String args[]){
		Scanner thingy = new Scanner(System.in);
		double firstnumber, secondnumber, answer;
 
		System.out.println("Enter first number:");
		firstnumber = thingy.nextDouble();			
		System.out.println("Enter second number");
		secondnumber = thingy.nextDouble();
		answer = firstnumber + secondnumber;
		System.out.println(answer);
	}
}

What do I need to write in order to make it?

You need to decide what you want the code to do, what steps are needed and write the java code that will do those steps. Do you know what steps you want the code to do?

import java.util.Scanner;

class epler{
public static void main(String args[]){
Scanner scn = new Scanner(System.in);
double firstnumber, secondnumber, answer;

//Need a declaration for my mode, not sure which.


System.out.println("Enter first number: ");
firstnumber = scn.nextDouble();

System.out.println("Enter method: ");
mode = scn.nextInt();
if(mode == '+'){
System.out.println("Enter second number: ");
secondnumber = scn.nextDouble();

answer = firstnumber + secondnumber;
System.out.println(answer);
}else if(mode == '-'){
System.out.println("Enter second number: ");
secondnumber = scn.nextDouble();

answer = firstnumber - secondnumber;
System.out.println(answer);
}else if(mode == '*'){
System.out.println("Enter second number: ");
secondnumber = scn.nextDouble();

answer = firstnumber * secondnumber;
System.out.println(answer);
}else if(mode == '/'){
System.out.println("Enter second number: ");
secondnumber = scn.nextDouble();

answer = firstnumber / secondnumber;
System.out.println(answer);
}

}
}

This is what I've gotten to, but I need a declaration for my mode variable. Anyone knows what kind?

What type of data are you going to store in the mode variable?
That would determine how you define it.

The mode would be for the method user input. What is written in the input in "Enter method: ", will determine if you are going to +, -, * or /.

Do you want mode to hold a String or a char value? "+' or '+'

Not quite sure. I'm here cause I need some help finishing this one. How would you have done it?

The Scanner class has a method for reading a String, so that might be easier.

I'm not really into Strings. How do I use them?

Take a look at the API doc for String class and its methods:
Java Platform SE 6
Find String in the lower left, click on it and the doc will display in the main window.

Also look at the doc for the Scanner class for samples.

I added a string above: String str;

But now, at

if(str == '+'){

I get "Incompatible operand types String and char"
Why is that?

If I change it to

if(str = +){

the + sign gets an error.

To compare Strings, you need to use the equals() method:
str.equals("+")

I get "Incompatible operand types String and char"
Why is that?

String and char are not compatible. String is an object, char is a primitive.

I fixed it Thank you so much

You're welcome.

Your posted code would be easier to read if you used code tags.
[code] ...[/code]