Thread: What exactly is the purpose of a Scanner class?

I was reading Java Software Solutions-7th edition and found about the scanner class, however their description doesn't really help me understand the purpose of the Scanner class. So, where is Scanner classes usually used in and what is the purpose of the Scanner?

try to read this Scanner (Java Platform SE 7 )

so is it scanner basically

 BufferedReader stdin = new BufferedReader (new InputStreamReader (System.in));
String firstPlayer, secondPlayer;

is it same as BufferedReader?

read this for scanner - Scanner (Java Platform SE 7 )
for bufferedread - BufferedReader (Java Platform SE 7 )

not actually same, there are some methods of scanner that is also the same with some methods in BufferedReader, but the two classes are not the same.

As what says by Scanner doc, scanner is capable of parsing tokens from the content of the stream
BufferedReader just read the stream but not capable of any special parsing

you can also read this link - Java: Difference Between Scanner Method & Buffered Reader, Scanner, BufferedReader

When you've done the suggested reading, take a break and do some coding to experience what the tools do. First, type every example program you found in the suggested reading, then do some exploring in code on your own to answer any questions you still have. You learn a skill and build confidence in your abilities at that skill much more by doing it, practicing, experimenting, than by reading about it.