int to array conversion

[Yfke]

Hi, I'm very very new to Java (just started learning about 3 days ago) and I have a problem.

My goal is to convert an int (also negative numbers need to be converted!) into an array. If the int is, for example, -38921, I would want it to be stored in an array like this: {3, 8, 9, 2, 1}.

I have come up with a solution, but somehow I feel that there must be a shorter way... I have already searched around these forums a bit, but haven't found anything. So anyway, here's (part of) my code:

int x = 87346;		// could be any number
int length = 1; 

// This loop determines how many numbers the int exists of:
for (int i = 10; (x>=i) | (x<=-i); i *= 10) {
	length ++;
}

// this creates a new array called "rij":		
int[] rij;
rij = new int[length];

// this loop looks at the last number of x, stores it in the last empty space in
// "rij" and removes the last number. Then repeats the process.
// (e.g. 356: it stores 6 in { _, _, 6} and converts 356 to 35.)
for(int i = 1; i <= length; i++) {
	int g;	
	for (g = 0; !(x%10 == 0); g++) {
		if(x > 0) x--;
		if(x < 0) x++;
	}
	rij[rij.length - i] = g;
	x /= 10;
}

Is there a shorter/better way, or am I just being too optimistic :rolleyes: ? :D

[Arnold]

Convert your int to a string and check it's length. With the charAt(x) method you can even check which number is on which position.
Good luck with Java!