Convert variable name to string.

Ok, I am reading a text file, the file contains variables and the values I want to assign to them. Is there any way to convert strings to variable names.

Example text file

Code:

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[variable1]
:value

[variable2]
:value1:value2:value3

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basically i want to do something like

Code:

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String[] varNames = (get input from txt file);
String[] vals = (get input from txt file);
for(int index = 0; index < varNames; index++){
    (convert varNames[index] to variable) = vals[get input]
}

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i know i would have to handle it differently if the val was an array. This is just an example, but is there any way to do this?

Also, this is going to be inplimented in a lot of classes with any number of variables the text file could be edited by users and stuff so I really want this to be able to handle abuse. I can't just make due with

Code:

---

String variable1;
if("variable1" == (input from txt file){
      variable1 = vals[whatever];
}

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One way to associate a String with an object of another class is to use a Map, i.e., Map<String, OtherClass>.

Also, is the text file in XML form? If so you can unmarshal the XML data into objects with JAXB (Java Architecture for XML Binding).

Can you describe what problem you're trying to solve in a general non-Java sense? If so, perhaps there's a better way than what you're trying to do.

Finally, how your code handles "abuse" will be up to you.

Good luck!

Quote:

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way to convert strings to variable names

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The only way I can think of is to use the String as a Key in a Map.

It is also worth noting that the compiler optimizes out variable names. What goes in as someVariableName might come out as something completely obfuscated (as short as one letter) to save processing time, storage space, and provide a low level of security against decompiling.

Quote:

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the compiler optimizes out variable names

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I'm not sure. Look in a .class file with a hex editor. The variable names are there.

Static variables and function names are. I cannot find any local variables in my class files. Perhaps different compilers do different things... are you using NetBeans?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zack

Static variables and function names are. I cannot find any local variables in my class files. Perhaps different compilers do different things... are you using NetBeans?

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The 'debug level' determines what is stored in a class file and what not. The -g:none flag leaves out all debug data. See javac -help for all the options.

kind regards,

Jos

I use javac.exe

It would seem then, that NetBeans provides a low level of obfuscation to local/member variables whereas javac does not unless, as Jos stated, the -g:none flag is used.