Graphical view of an array

[ventrue]

Hi, I am pretty new to Java so I will try my best to describe my problem. Recently I have been assigned to do an exercise where I am to draw all elements in a random generated array with the "drawRect()" method. I would be very glad if someone could also explain how to put some space (5-10 pixels) between the drawn rectangles.

I will include a part of my code where I need the help:

[B]public class PaintEx extends JPanel{
    
    //declares a new array with 50 spaces
    int [] array = new int[50];
    
    public PaintEx(){
        
    }
    
        public void paintComponent(Graphics g){
            
            super.paintComponent(g);
            g.setColor(Color.BLACK);

            //loop for filling the array with random elements from 0 to 300, and
            //also draw them as rectangles
            for (int i = 0; i<array.length; i ++){
      
                Random a = new Random();
                array [i] = a.nextInt(300);
                g.drawRect(array[i], 300-array[i], 10, array[i]);
     }[/B]

This code allows me to draw the graphics somewhat correct. The problem is that they appear in growing order starting from lower values and end with higher values. As I understand, the random utility should take care of a new random value every time the loop draws a rectangle. This does not happen, and the rectangles are mostly overlapping each other. My question: where did I do it wrong at the drawing bit? Or maybe even the array bit?
The reason for "300-array[i]" is because I want the rectangles to appear in a normal coordinate system and not the inverted y which Java uses. All help/pinpoints are gladly appreciated :).

[emceenugget]

question, why do you use an array when you do not re-use the values? a simple int would suffice, exchanging array.length with a constant.

also, try creating your Random object outside of the loop and see if that does something more to your liking.

sorry, can't be of too specific help due to my minimal experience with swing. anyways, you need to position your next rectangle based on its dimensions as well as the previous rectangle's dimensions and position. don't wanna be too specific, because i'm not too sure what you're really trying to do.

[ventrue]

Thank you so much!! It worked :). As you said, moving the Random object out of the loop fixed the overlapping, but I also did another small modification I did not think of before: simply introducing a new integer "k" that handles the spacing between the rectangles + their positioning by a fixed value.

public class PaintEx extends JPanel{
    
    int [] array = new int[20];
    
    public PaintEx(){
        
    }
    
        public void paintComponent(Graphics g){
            
            super.paintComponent(g);
            g.setColor(Color.BLACK);
            Random a = new Random();
            int k = 0;

            for (int i = 0; i<array.length; i ++){

                array [i] = a.nextInt(300);
                g.drawRect(k, 300-array[i], 10, array[i]);
                k=k+15;
                
            }

Sorry for not being able to post images but the forum says my post count needs to be 20+.

Thanks again :)