Error if someone enters the wrong data type

[lithium002]

Hello,

I have a program that is currently accepting 4 different integers from a user. However, I need to put limit to the digit value the user can input, also if the user inputs a character, or a string, in other words, the wrong data type, the program shows an errors and asks the user to try again.

The first integer would be between 1 and 40
The second integer would be between 1 and 20
The third integer can be between 1 and the highest value of the first integer
The fourth integer can be between 1 and the highest value of the second integer

I have been trying to use the "input.hasnextInt" but I'm honestly lost.

Here is what my input fields look like:

Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.print("The X co-ordinate: "); // the x-axis location on the graph
int x = input.nextInt();

System.out.print("The Y co-ordinate: "); // the y-axis location on the graph
int y = input.nextInt();

System.out.print("Please enter a width for your rectangle: "); // the width of the rectangle to be plotted
int width = input.nextInt();

System.out.print("Now enter a height for your rectangle: "); // the height of the rectangle to be plotted
int height = input.nextInt();

Can anyone guide me in the right direction to start this? Should I use the input.hasnextInt within java, and if so, how is it implemented?

I keep getting errors!

[CodesAway]

I ran your code with no problems. If you enter an illegal value (i.e. a non-integer), Java throws an exception.

If you want your own custom error message, wrap your calls in a try-catch block. Catch the exception that is thrown, and output your own message. Also, make sure to place your input requests in a loop, so that the loop continues until the user inputs valid data.


To make sure the input is in the bounds you want, add checks - make sure the input is in the range you want. If one of them fails, you could throw an exception (and catch it in your catch block).


Using this method, the exception is throw on the invalid input - if "x" is invalid, no use asking for "y". The catch block will handle outputting the "error message" you want. And, by throwing it all in a loop, you'll continue until the user inputs valid data.

Afterwards, you can continue with your code.

[lithium002]

Hey CodesAway,

thank you so much for that, But I cannot use try and catch because I have no idea how to use it! :(

Here is what I did so far and it seems to work for the most part

int x;

System.out.print("The x co-ordinate: ");
Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);

while (input.hasNext())
{
if (input.hasNextInt())
{
if (input.nextInt() > 40 || input.nextInt() < 0)
{
System.out.println("Wrong");
System.out.print("Try again: ");
}

else
break;
}

else
{
input.nextLine();
System.out.println("This is not a valid value!");
System.out.print("The X co-ordinate: ");
}
}

x = input.nextInt();

The only problem is, when I input anything between 0 and 40, the loop doesn't end. Can you check this and tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[CodesAway]

To learn try-catch blocks, check out the The Java Tutorials -> Exceptions.

As for why your code is acting weird, it's because you are asking for three int values (highlighted in red). So, it's not that it's not exiting, but it's waiting for two more values after you enter the first.

int x;

System.out.print("The x co-ordinate: ");
Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);

while (input.hasNext()) {
	if (input.hasNextInt()) {
		if ([COLOR="Red"]input.nextInt()[/COLOR] > 40 || [COLOR="#ff0000"]input.nextInt()[/COLOR] < 0) {
			System.out.println("Wrong");
			System.out.print("Try again: ");
		}
		else
			break;
	}
	else {
		input.nextLine();
		System.out.println("This is not a valid value!");
		System.out.print("The X co-ordinate: ");
	}
}

x = [COLOR="#ff0000"]input.nextInt()[/COLOR];

[lithium002]

Can you please tell me how I would fix it in the code I have already supplied?

This is for an assignment and we haven't even been taught try and catch, so I'm thinking the professor expects us to finish it based on what we know already.

[CodesAway]

Your code works and does the job. Instead of calling nextInt three times to retrieve the "x" value, you should only call it once - storing the value and comparing the stored values to your range.

By replacing the three calls with just one, your code works fine - I tested it.

[lithium002]

Hello Codesaway,

The int x, first of all, should be int. Then, it should be between 0 and 40 value.

Can you please clarify how I'm calling it three times? I understand based on your quoted message that there are three input.nextInt methods, however, if I remove the first two, then how will I be able to get the program to check whether the int x value is between 0 and 40?

[CodesAway]

Hello Codesaway,

The int x, first of all, should be int. Then, it should be between 0 and 40 value.

Can you please clarify how I'm calling it three times? I understand based on your quoted message that there are three input.nextInt methods, however, if I remove the first two, then how will I be able to get the program to check whether the int x value is between 0 and 40?

You should have one call to nextInt for each input value. This does not imply that your should remove the first two (You need to remove two calls, but this doesn't mean it's the first two).

My hint was "you should only call it once - storing the value and comparing the stored values to your range."

[lithium002]

Hello Codesaway,

Can you please illustrate via sample code?

[lithium002]

Hello,

So I used this code

int x;

System.out.print("The x co-ordinate: ");
Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);

while (input.hasNext())
{
if (input.hasNextInt())
{
x = input.nextInt();
if ( x > 40 || x < 0)
{
System.out.println("Wrong");
System.out.print("Try again: ");
}

else
break;

}

else
{
input.next();
System.out.println("This is not a valid value!");
System.out.print("The X co-ordinate: ");
}
}

but now the int x cannot be identified by functions outside this one. It has become local :(

[CodesAway]

Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
		
System.out.println("Please input an integer: ");
int value = input.nextInt();
		
if (value < 0)
	System.out.println("You entered a negative number");
else
	System.out.println("You entered a positive number");

[CodesAway]

but now the int x cannot be identified by functions outside this one. It has become local :(

I'm confused, it was a local variable beforehand as well. What are you trying to do with the value?

[aaroncarpet]

try{ spinning my hard drive backwards ) catch(exception e){system.out.println("MY Virus Can't Control your hard or soft drive")}

[aaroncarpet]

that gave ne a slider bar?

[lithium002]

The code you provided won't work if the user inputs a character or a string.

The assignment is to draw a graph of 40x20, and then ask the user to input four values, the x and y co-ordinates of the graph, and then to draw a rectangle in the x,y location of the user defined width and height.

I have done all of that, except now I just need to make sure that the user inputted values are within the graph range i.e. between 40 and 0.

The code I have written was meant to go on the following algorithm:

First, the user inputs something
The input goes into a loop
Then, in the loop, the program checks whether the input was an Integer
If it was, it checks whether it was in the range of 0 and 40
If it isn't, it asks for the user to try again
If it was, it is stored in a variable that can be used in other functions
If the input was anything other than an integer, it asks the user to try again.


Now I did all of that, except like you pointed out, when I run the program, if the value is within 0 and 40, the program doesn't go into the next command unless I press enter three times.

If I stored the value only once, it becomes a local variable and I can't use it in other functions.

Can you PLEASE help? I have spent almost 24 hours finishing this program and the past 6 hours on just figuring this out.

[CodesAway]

Might I suggest putting this inside a method. Since each of your four inputs will look and behave the same, using a method makes the code clearer and easier to read.

For example, a prompt method that prompts the user for a value, checks the value is in range, and shows error messages for incorrect/invalid input.

private static int prompt(Scanner input, String prompt, int rangeStart, int rangeEnd) {
	// Your code goes here
}

[lithium002]

This is how my code looks right now:

	private static void getInput() // ask for all the information you need from the user
	{ 
		int x;
		
		System.out.print("The x co-ordinate: ");
		Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);

		while (input.hasNext())
		{
			if (input.hasNextInt())
			{
				x = input.nextInt();
				if ( x > 40 || x < 0)
				{
					System.out.println("Wrong");
					System.out.print("Try again: ");
				}
			}
				
			else
			{
				input.next();
				System.out.println("This is not a valid value!");
				System.out.print("The X co-ordinate: ");
			}
		}

		System.out.print("The Y co-ordinate: "); // the y-axis location on the graph
		int y = input.nextInt();
	    
		System.out.print("Please enter a width for your rectangle: "); // the width of the rectangle to be plotted
		int width = input.nextInt();
        
		System.out.print("Now enter a height for your rectangle: "); // the height of the rectangle to be plotted
		int height = input.nextInt();
	    
		drawGraph(width, height, x, y); // now draw the graph by calling the function based on the variables

[CodesAway]

The code you provided won't work if the user inputs a character or a string.

It was AN EXAMPLE! I wasn't going to do your assignment for you. Especially since the code you had the first time works fine.

If I stored the value only once, it becomes a local variable and I can't use it in other functions.

FYI, It was local beforehand as well. And, yes, you can use it in other functions - pass the value as a parameter.

Can you PLEASE help? I have spent almost 24 hours finishing this program and the past 6 hours on just figuring this out.

I'm sorry, if my input isn't helpful, I can leave! Better yet, if you could tell me how you need help, that would make my job easier.

You complain about all the code and advice I give you, but it works and runs fine - trust me, I already have a running copy that is a combination of the code presented. I just threw it into a method. I already can input ALL FOUR VALUES, using the code you have provided.

So, if it's not working for you, or if you are not understanding it, please ask questions.

[CodesAway]

This is how my code looks right now:
... code ...

Is there a question??

[lithium002]

Excuse me? I need help, I don't need anyone to finish my assignment. If I needed the former I wouldn't have spent this long trying to do it myself. :)

I already explained what my problem is. I can't use prompt or catch and try or anything else because we haven't covered those things in our course.

I'm having trouble with the code I already provided and need someone to tell me what I'm doing wrong. I know you're trying to help, I honestly appreciate it, but seriously, I'm not asking you to do my homework for me. That was arrogant and uncalled for in my opinion.