Creating random sentences

[bluekswing]

Greetings! I'm new to the forum but wanted to jump right in and ask some questions.


I'm currently taking a java class and have come across a project that actually has been stumped. The program we have been asked to create should generate 10 random sentences. The sentences should have the structure

article + noun1 + verb + article + noun2


Here's my idea of how to do it using using pseudocode:

List1 of articles = (a, the, an)
List2 of Nouns1 = (cat, dog, rat, bat, sun)
List3 of Verbs = (go, run, sit, catch, hit)
List4 of Nouns2 = (cars, store, game, baseball, chair)

for (i=1; i<=10 ; i++)
{System print (Random element from list1 + Random element from List2 + Random elemtn from List3 + Random element from List4)}




My problem is I don't know the syntax for "grabbing random element from the list and printing it where needed". I also don't know how to create arrays yet so I wondering if there are ways to store multiple values to one variable without having to create one?



Any suggestions or help would be immensely appreciated!

[JavaBean]

1. Define articles array like this:

Code:

     String[] articles = {"a", "the", "and"};

2. Define other arrays in a similar way.

3. Get the size of an array in the following way:

Code:

     articles.length

4. Create a random number between 0 and articles.length in the following way:

Code:

     Random r = new Random();
     int selectedElement = r.nextInt(articles.length);

5. Access to the random element in the following way:

Code:

    articles[selectedElement]

6. Combine these random elements in the following way:

Code:

    String randomResult = articles[selectedElement] + array2[random2] + ...;

Hope this helps..

[bluekswing]

Thank you! I will be sure to try this when i get home from work.

[bluekswing]

Ok so here's what I've come up with, but it's not compiling and I know it's because my syntax isn't correct, but alas, I can't figure out why. Also I know I know I don't have the "articles[selectedElement]" correct either. Greatly appreciate any insights into the error of my ways.



import java.util.*; //grants access to outside java utilities.
import java.util.Random;

public class RandomGeneratedSenteces {
public static void main (String[] args) { //start of program.

int i;


String[] articles= {"a", "the", "an"};
String[] noun1= {"cat", "dog", "sun", "rain", "boot"};
String[] verb= {"sit", "catch", "stab", "chase", "cuddle"};
String[] noun2= {"summer", "gun", "chair", "bag", "woman"};


Random r = new Random();
int selectedElement = r.nextInt(articles.length);


for (i=1; i<=10; i++)
{String[] randomSentence= articles[selectedElement] + noun1[selectedElement] + verb[selectedElement] + articles[selectedElement]+ noun2[selectedElement];

System.out.println ("sentence " + randomSentence);
}

}
}

[JavaBean]

Hello bluekswing,

Next time please use [code] tag around your codes. It is more readable and safe.

Here is a problem i saw in your code:

Code:

String[] randomSentence= articles[selectedElement] + noun1[selectedElement] + verb[selectedElement] + articles[selectedElement]+ noun2[selectedElement];

This cant be used like that. Write this instead:

Code:

String randomSentence= articles[selectedElement] + noun1[selectedElement] + verb[selectedElement] + articles[selectedElement]+ noun2[selectedElement];