[SOLVED] return statement

Hi all again, i seem to have many issues today, maybe its just not my day. :confused:

I've made some code but im not sure what return statement i should use.
Here is my code followed by the compiler error:

Code:

---

import java.util.Arrays.*;
import java.lang.*;

public class SnakeGame
{
        char s = ' ';
        //create main method(All Java prgrams need one to run ;))
        public static void main(String[] args)
        {
               
        }
        //Create a 2D grid for the game to be played on
        public static class Grid
        {
                Grid[][] grid = new Grid[31][31]; // 31x31 grid
                static void fill(char grid[][], char _){}
        }
        public static String deepToString (String grid[][])
        {
                System.out.println(grid);
               
        }
       
}

---

Code:

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SnakeGame.java:29: missing return statement
        }
        ^
1 error

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Your deepToString method is not returning a string ... that's what the

Code:

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public static [B][U]String[/U][/B] deepToString (String grid[][])

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... means... that this method returns a string.

Luck,
CJSL

What should i change or insert then?
I tried many different return statements but none seem to work.

What you want to return from there? I can see that you are trying to return a string. But in the code you don't have specify it.

If you don't want to return anything set the return type into void.

Code:

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        public static void deepToString (String grid[][])
        {
                System.out.println(grid);

        }

---

See this:

http://www.java-forums.org/new-java/...or-errors.html

Like I said, go through those tutorials and start paying attention in class. And, in class, when you don't understand something, ask your instructor about it, right away.

Just want to point out a couple of things you might want to think over:

1. Why have you made "grid" a 2D array of Strings? You are only using each element as a char, no?
2. If "grid" is a 2D array (or even normal array), do you know what happens to it if you pass it into a print statement?

Try implementing one method at a time, making sure that it works how you want it to before moving on, and even testing the smaller portions of code that work together within the method.

Unless you're used to writing masses of code with little to no error (and no design flaws), you should check for problems as often as possible. Better to catch them when you're working on them then to have to backtrack and pinpoint the cause of multiple errors.

I'll try to answer your question about the return statement, but first I (we) need to know about the deepToString method:

• What is this method supposed to do? I sounds like it is to convert something (deep?) to a string.

CJSL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CJSLMAN

I'll try to answer your question about the return statement, but first I (we) need to know about the deepToString method:

• What is this method supposed to do? I sounds like it is to convert something (deep?) to a string.

CJSL

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The deepToString method is used to display a 2D array as a string to the screen. I could use toString but deepToString is better as it was designed for 2D arrays i think. i just used info from the web and the api.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emceenugget

Just want to point out a couple of things you might want to think over:

1. Why have you made "grid" a 2D array of Strings? You are only using each element as a char, no?
2. If "grid" is a 2D array (or even normal array), do you know what happens to it if you pass it into a print statement?

Try implementing one method at a time, making sure that it works how you want it to before moving on, and even testing the smaller portions of code that work together within the method.

Unless you're used to writing masses of code with little to no error (and no design flaws), you should check for problems as often as possible. Better to catch them when you're working on them then to have to backtrack and pinpoint the cause of multiple errors.

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The grid has been created for my game. i have to make a game similar to the classic snake game on mobile phones. The lecturer has recommended that we dont use swing or anything as at this stage its just hard work. We have been taught no string so the game is just a case of printing it to the terminal.
Im not sure if there are any better ways to create a 2D grid for my game to be based on. once i've coded level 1 i'm hoping levels 2-5 will be easier.