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Thread: URgh, drawing a square

  1. #1
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    Default URgh, drawing a square

    My current task is to draw a square and im nowhere near into it. Been working on the project now for about 4 hours and im just confused. Heres my code, atm i can't even get it to do what i want it to do.

     
     
    public class Main
    {
        public static void main(String args[])
        {
            System.out.print("#Number Of Stars: ");
            int sizeofsquare = 5;
            int line = 1;
            int down = 1;
            int across = 1;
            System.out.println();
     
            while ( line <= sizeofsquare ){
     
                System.out.print("*");
                line = line + 1;
     
            }
     
            while ( down < sizeofsquare ){
     
                down = down + 1;
                System.out.println();
     
                while ( across <= sizeofsquare ){
     
                    System.out.print("*");
                    across = across + 1;
     
                }
     
            }
     
     
        }
    }

    Basically im trying to draw a square out of stars after having the user read in how many stars will be along the y and x.

    for example if i read in 5 the square would be:

    *****
    *****
    *****
    *****
    *****

    and would change depending on the number i entered, the max number of stars being 40 along the x/y axis.

    So far ive managed to get *'s to constantly generate after reading a number and have no idea why they don't stop when the count gets to the number that has been entered.
    Last edited by BITmixit; October 25th, 2011 at 11:53 AM.


  2. #2
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    Default Re: URgh, drawing a square

    If you want help, you'll have to provide an SSCCE that demonstrates the problem. You're close, but what is BIO? I assume it's a Scanner?

    Also, I'd recommend stepping through this with a debugger, or at least adding print lines that let you know what's going on. For example, what is the value of sizeofsquare each iteration through the loop? When will it be > 40 to allow the loop to exit?
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  3. #3
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    Default Re: URgh, drawing a square

     
     
    public class Main
    {
        public static void main(String args[])
        {
            System.out.print("#Number Of Stars: ");
            int sizeofsquare = 5;
            int down = 1;
            int across = 2;
            System.out.println();
     
            while ( down <= sizeofsquare ){
     
                System.out.print("*");
     
                while ( across <= sizeofsquare ){
     
                    System.out.print("*");
                    across = across + 1;
     
                }
     
                System.out.println();
     
                down = down + 1;
     
            }
     
        }
    }

    Right i've managed to shrink it abit but at the moment i get:

    *****
    *
    *
    *
    *

    when i need:

    *****
    *****
    *****
    *****
    *****

    I don't really understand why the while loop containing the across * stops either :S
    Last edited by BITmixit; October 25th, 2011 at 12:12 PM.

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    Default Re: URgh, drawing a square

    Again, I'd recommend stepping through this with a debugger or at least adding print lines to understand what's going on. Pay special attention to the value of across each time through the loops.
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    Default Re: URgh, drawing a square

    I used the debugger and from what it showed me the while across loop is doing its job then thinking its done and letting the other loop then do its job.

    However ive tried to move the across=across + 1 and it just makes the across while loop continue forever.

    Do i need to add another while loop to the mix?

  6. #6
    Crazy Cat Lady KevinWorkman's Avatar
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    Default Re: URgh, drawing a square

    Quote Originally Posted by BITmixit View Post
    I used the debugger and from what it showed me the while across loop is doing its job then thinking its done and letting the other loop then do its job.
    I'm not sure you understand how the loops are working. One is inside the other, they aren't happening one after another.

    Quote Originally Posted by BITmixit View Post
    However ive tried to move the across=across + 1 and it just makes the across while loop continue forever.
    What did you expect that to accomplish?

    Quote Originally Posted by BITmixit View Post
    Do i need to add another while loop to the mix?
    What do you expect that to accomplish?

    I suggest you slow down and take a closer look at what your existing program is doing before you attempt to add anything to it.

    Another approach would be to write a method that prints a single row of a certain parameterized length, then call that method the correct number of times.

    Also, why are you using while loops instead of for loops?
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    Default Re: URgh, drawing a square

    Fixed it and its working now, took a closer look then sort of had a duh moment and realised i could reset the across variable outside of the across loop thus resetting it till the down loop was done.

    Have submitted it to the uni server and its correct

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