limiting the value allowed in a set method

[Implode]

I have an exercise for university and I can do the rest of it, except the part that wants us the limit the setBearing method of and airplane class to only take (n, nw ,ne , s, etc.)

Part of the question:

This exercise could be amended with error-checking in all the set methods, for instance no negative
altitude, bearing should be n, nw, s, sw, etc. If you try to use a set method with a value that is wrong
you should print an error-message.

I tried to use a switch statement, but eclipse wont recognise the cases . eg

public void setBearing(char newBearing){
switch(newBearing){
case n : bearing = newBearing;

but it says case expressions must be constant expressions.

How else can one set the allowed arguments for a set method?

Thanks

[Fubarable]

Are you allowed to use enums?

[Implode]

as long as we dont allow the user to enter any bearing other than n,nw,ne,s,sw,se,e,w,

and if they do, we should print an error message, using println,.

how would I do this if a user enters a string for example instead of a double?

or is that part of exception handling?

havent done enums yet, but I would like to learn everything about java, preferably before we cover it in university,

[emceenugget]

enums are the more practical and also easier way to go with this.

also, your current setup would not work. you take in a char, but how would you represent 'ne', 'nw' and such?

also, it says they need to be constant expressions because your 'n' is not in single quotes to indicate that it's a char, so it's being interpreted as a variable

[Implode]

enums are the more practical and also easier way to go with this.

also, your current setup would not work. you take in a char, but how would you represent 'ne', 'nw' and such?

also, it says they need to be constant expressions because your 'n' is not in single quotes to indicate that it's a char, so it's being interpreted as a variable

Thanks.

So could i do declare enum Bearing { N, NE, NW, S, SE, SW, E, W}

then in the setBearing method,

if( (arg) != Bearing)
System.out.println("Error - enter correct bearing e.g. N) ;
else
Bearing = (arg;)