Thread: What is wrong with my code? Simple for loop?

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Do you happen to know how to solve this, Greg?
I am befuddled.

The for loop is fine. What is inside wont get you further. Youll have to figure out how to get the power of your base, which is hard. If you keep trying youll get it sometime.

Originally Posted by Niels van Ee

The for loop is fine. What is inside wont get you further. Youll have to figure out how to get the power of your base, which is hard. If you keep trying youll get it sometime.

Can you help me on solving for what goes within that for loop? I mean, I tried placing other digits, but I do not know how to make a for loop that reads the power and multiply it by the base it is.

Comments in your code would be extremely helpful. There's no reason someone should have to stare at your code and the desired output to figure out that the purpose of the method computPower() is to calculate the base to the power of power. Say that in a comment somewhere.

If I give you a number, let's say 3, and tell you to raise that to the power of 4, what do you do? If you only had pencil and paper, you might sit down with and do something like:

3 * 3 = 9 (3 squared)
9 * 3 = 27 (3 cubed)
27 * 3 = 81 (3 ^ 4)

or

3 * 3 * 3 * 3 = 81

How could you do that same repetitive calculation in a loop?

And don't declare the resulting variable INSIDE the loop as in this statement:

int answer=1*base;

That makes the variable 'answer' local to the loop, completely worthless outside the loop where you'll eventually need it.

Come back with your updated code.

Originally Posted by GregBrannon

Comments in your code would be extremely helpful. There's no reason someone should have to stare at your code and the desired output to figure out that the purpose of the method computPower() is to calculate the base to the power of power. Say that in a comment somewhere.

If I give you a number, let's say 3, and tell you to raise that to the power of 4, what do you do? If you only had pencil and paper, you might sit down with and do something like:

3 * 3 = 9 (3 squared)
9 * 3 = 27 (3 cubed)
27 * 3 = 81 (3 ^ 4)

or

3 * 3 * 3 * 3 = 81

How could you do that same repetitive calculation in a loop?

And don't declare the resulting variable INSIDE the loop as in this statement:

int answer=1*base;

That makes the variable 'answer' local to the loop, completely worthless outside the loop where you'll eventually need it.

Come back with your updated code.

Thanks for pointing out that i declared the int answer and print line within the for loop. I have updated my code to the best of my understanding.

I understand how to print out a regular square situation, but i do not know how to do it within parameters. What should the for loop consist of fully?

What should be the for loop to get my desired outcome?

I have updated my code to the best of my understanding.

Where? I want to see the best of your understanding. I also don't understand why you can't write a for() loop that multiplies a base by itself power times. Please try it, give it your best effort.

Originally Posted by GregBrannon

Where? I want to see the best of your understanding. I also don't understand why you can't write a for() loop that multiplies a base by itself power times. Please try it, give it your best effort.

I know it might be very simple, but i am very, very new to this Java programming thing. I literally started yesterday. I work best with examples, so i bet after i get to know what goes into that for loop that i would be more than capable applying in different fashions else where.

i hope you understand.

I think you'll find that you'll learn programming more thoroughly by trying things, discovering what works, what doesn't, and then figuring out why. Waiting for someone to show you how to accomplish a skill is either lazy or just plain wrong-headed thinking. Programming is a skill, and a skill cannot be acquired by observing someone else perform it, no matter how masterful they are. Plus, the number of Java for() loop examples on the 'net must be in the multiple 100s of thousands, so there's no reason you shouldn't have a model to follow.

Though I'm opposed (internally conflicted) here's another example of a for() loop. This one adds a number, x, to itself y times. You can use it to produce a for() loop that multiplies a number by itself some number of times.

        // a loop to add x to itself y times
        for( int i = 1 ; i <= y ; i++ )
        {
            result += x;
        }

Originally Posted by GregBrannon

I think you'll find that you'll learn programming more thoroughly by trying things, discovering what works, what doesn't, and then figuring out why. Waiting for someone to show you how to accomplish a skill is either lazy or just plain wrong-headed thinking. Programming is a skill, and a skill cannot be acquired by observing someone else perform it, no matter how masterful they are. Plus, the number of Java for() loop examples on the 'net must be in the multiple 100s of thousands, so there's no reason you shouldn't have a model to follow.

Though I'm opposed (internally conflicted) here's another example of a for() loop. This one adds a number, x, to itself y times. You can use it to produce a for() loop that multiplies a number by itself some number of times.

        // a loop to add x to itself y times
        for( int i = 1 ; i <= y ; i++ )
        {
            result += x;
        }

I believe otherwise, and the for loop example that you gave me does not resonate with my problem. Don't sweat it. I'll just forum else where.

I believe otherwise

Please come back with evidence when you've proved me wrong.

the for loop example that you gave me does not resonate with my problem

Then you're not thinking . . .

Good luck!