Thread: Beginner Java HELP!

Need help on my project. This project is devised to encapsulate the attributes and behavior of Boats. Specifically, you will create a class "Fleet" whose constructor accepts a list of boat names in a string array and will create a "Boat" object for each name in an array of boats (i.e., each name will be used to create an element in the array for a bat). The boat names are passed as arguments to the main method. Provide a method that assigns a boat ID to each boat created. The ID should be a 5 digit randomly generated number and not two IDs should be the same. Any boat name that starts with the letters B,C, and N will raise the sail; otherwise lower the sail. Provide a method "DisplayBoatNames" that displays the boat names, boat IDs and state of the sail. Provide a method "FindBoatName" that accepts the boat name as an argument and returns the array index of the boat if it exists; otherwise, it returns -1. Use the following boat names to test your java application:
"Sea Monkey, Backdraft, Cast Away, Nautifish, Destiny"

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Junky

Make an attempt at writing the code. If you get stuck post your code here using code tags, copy and paste exact error messages and ask a specific question.

Do not dump your homework on us and expect someone to do it for you.

I finished it, just need the last part where it states "FindBoatName" that accepts the boat name as an argument and returns the array index of the boat if it exists; otherwise, it returns -1.

I'm stuck on this part. I have
void FindBoatName(String boat) {
for (int i = 0 ; i < boatObjectCount ; i++) {

if (allTheBoats[i].boatName.equals(boat)) {

System.out.println(allTheBoats[i].boatName + "boat ID is " + allTheBoats[i].id + ".");
return;
}
}

System.out.println(boat + " does not exist in the boats list.");
}

and under main, i have
boats.FindBoatName("Nautifish");

boats.FindBoatName("Second Wind");

which I know is wrong, because I cant get the return -1 in.
But I dont know how to code this part. Since return -1, its an integer, but I'm using a string..