Thread: Creating a slang translator

Hi,

I recently had a friends son ( that is learning java on his own) ask me to create a simple sample urban slang translator, and since its been a few years since Ive messed around with java I am running into a problem. If my memory serves me correct I remember spending hours on a project only to realize all the problems I had were something silly. Anyhow, It seems I have gotten close except that my main problem is a big one, I cant seem to get the results returned. Since he only wants to screw around with turning an application into an app saving me some hours or days would be greatly appreciated. Im sure there is an easier way, but since I've came this far now I am the curious one. Here is where I'm at thus far.

import java.util.Scanner;
import java.awt.*;
import java.util.*;
 
public class Slang
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
String[][] translateList = {{"a long time", "a minute"},
{"opinion", "two cents" },
{"dance", "two step"},
{"attractive", "all that"},
{"leave", "audi"},
{"yes", "awe yeah"},
{"no", "awe naw"},
};
Scanner scan = new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.println ( "convert it to slang" );
String sentence = scan.nextLine();
String[] input = sentence.split("\\s");
 
for (int x=0; x<input.length; x++)
{
for (int y = 0; y < translateList.length; y++)
if (input[x].equalsIgnoreCase(translateList[y][0]))
System.out.println("True");
}
}
}

LOL @homework.. its been over 20 years since ive done "homework".. You might want to check how to use quotes in English. Since no where in the post did I say "Here's the code. It doesn't work. Fix it for me" using quotes you are claiming that I did say that .. last but not least... I did state that i was having problems with returning the results.

Heres a correct usage of quoting someone:
"As time goes on we get closer to that American Dream of there being a pie cut up and shared. Usually greed and selfishness prevent that and there is always one bad apple in every barrel." -- Rick Danko

Since the title of this forum is called "What is wrong with my code?" I figured it was obvious that someone who posts something would be asking for advice. By your response I guess it must obviously be titled wrong. If you don't want to help someone that posts here then maybe it should be called "The java programmers club only". god forbid that someone wants to play around with java as a hobby or just see if they can create something without having a formal education in that subject. I guess since your mood is grumpy a snarky remark should be expected.

To change back to the problem, what is your problem with the code you posted?
If you have errors, please copy and paste the full text here.

Thank you for the reply Norm. The program compiles fine no errors. I figure that I have forgotten something with returning the translated result using the string array ( as I believe its called). As of right now all its returning is "true" which I understand is because that's what I have in the quotes within my println. I have completed two working programs that work just fine one with a hashtable and another with the old If then statements, but curiosity has gotten the better of me when I attempted to try it this way. Just a point in the right direction would be greatly helpful thanks for your time.

right now all its returning is "true"

By "returning" I guess you mean what the program is printing on the console screen.

point in the right direction

What do you want to be printed?

yes that is correct.. I am looking for it to return the translated slang word. i.e. when they type in the word "opinion" I want "two cents" printed.
I enjoy figuring these things out on my own but I am at a loss with this attempt.

All the Strings are in an array. Your code tests one part of the array at [0].
You need to adjust the indexes into the array to get the other part at [1] that you want to print.

Ok Thanks Norm.. I get the idea. As I said I did this already using a hashmap and with the if then statement now I am wondering in your professional opinion out of all these methods which would be considered the most efficient? It seems to me in my novice opinion using the hashmap "looked" the best.

This is why I propagate corals on the professional level and dabble in programming as a hobby. Once again thanks.

**EDIT. Oops didn't see the 2nd page. Here's my two cents anyway

There's a few problems with your code, but if this is only a basic project, why not change:

System.out.println("True");

to:

System.out.println(translateList[y][1]);

@Diplo - I think the idea is that we help the OP find a solution himself, rather than spoon-feeding code.