Thread: Need help with array list, scanner and dictonary file.

I need some help with a programming assignment. I haven't looked at Java in over 9 years. My son is a comp sci major and is having trouble with this assignment and asked for my help. Yes I know big mistake, but that is where I'm at. We have to create a program that involves word chains. Those are 4 letter words that are 1 letter off of the original word. Ie tick, pick, sick, etc... we have the array created.

 
import java.util.*;
public class ArrayListOne {
 
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		// TODO Auto-generated method stub
		 // create an array list
	      ArrayList<String> al = new ArrayList<String>();
 
	}
 
}

And we have the scanner code..

 
import java.util.Scanner;
public class scanner {
 
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		// TODO Auto-generated method stub
		Scanner scan = new Scanner(System.in);
		System.out.println("Input starting word: ");
		String start = scan.nextLine();
		//somewhere here you would add it to the Array list.
		System.out.println("Input final word: ");
		String last = scan.nextLine();
		//somewhere here you would add it to the Array list.
 
 
	}
 
}

So my question is how is the best way to add this to the array so we can then construct a while loop to scan the dictionary file ( which is a text file ) with hundreds of 4 letter words. Please point us in the right starting direction and be kind as I said I haven't looked at Java in over 9 years. Thanks in advanced

. . . a program that involves word chains . . .

When he posts, have him describe the assignment better and his intended design for the program. What are the program's requirements, what does it do, why scan the dictionary of words, why are words added to the ArrayList, etc?

I will have him post, but I can answer some questions. Plus this is an opportunity for me to learn as well. The user is to input a start word and a last word. These are then added to an arraylist. The dictionary file is then scanned and the program will pick out a 9 word chain where the 4 letter words are 1 letter different. Thanks again. I will send this page to him and have him fill some details.

I agree with everything you have said. I'm a VB.net developer so Java is lost on me.