Got problem on accessing public (global) array

[smtwtfs]

I had this problem and i tried to search but could not find similar problems. There is an array i want to declare globally, which in java would be a "public variable", if my understanding is correct.

The size of this array is not determined when i define it. The size will be determined until the last element of the array is filled in a while loop.

here's my code, Thank you all in advance.

public class Calc {

	public static int chunk = 0;
	public static int [] count;

	public static void screen(){
		String tmpwords;
		StringTokenizer tokenizer;	
		boolean stop = false;
		try {
			InputStream srcdata = new FileInputStream("20090506.xml");
			BufferedReader in = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(srcdata, "UTF8"));
			
			String tmp=in.readLine();	

			while(!tmp.startsWith("</Do")){
				while(!tmp.startsWith("</t")){
					tokenizer = new StringTokenizer(tmp," ");
					while(tokenizer.hasMoreTokens()){
						tmpwords = tokenizer.nextToken();								
		//############################################	
//#### the following line is the problem #######
//##############################################	
						Calc.count[Calc.chunk]++;   
					}
					tmp=in.readLine();
				}
				Calc.chunk++;
			}
			in.close();
		}
		catch (Exception e) {
			System.err.println("Read sourse file exception " + e.toString());
		}		
	}

	public static void main(String[] argv) {
		screen();
	}
}

[goldest]

What happens at the line you are pointing to? Errors? Exception? Something else?

What is the problem?

[pbrockway2]

In Java arrays have a size the moment they are initialised and they have that size forever.

Are you aware that in that code you don't initialise count anywhere? If you try to initialise it you will run up against the problem that you don't know how big to make it. Consider using a collection like List<Integer>.

[smtwtfs]

In Java arrays have a size the moment they are initialised and they have that size forever.

Are you aware that in that code you don't initialise count anywhere? If you try to initialise it you will run up against the problem that you don't know how big to make it. Consider using a collection like List<Integer>.

yes thanks. that is the problem. so i tried

 public static int [] count = new int[500];

it worked but since i don't know how big the array is, allocated 500 to it may not be a wise approach.

Is there a way I can dynamically allocate an array. I remember in C++ there is something called linked list but is there an easy way in java?

[alexoffspring]

I think that pbrockway2 already told you what is a linked List in java

Consider using a collection like List<Integer>. Add to pbrockway2's Reputation

[pbrockway2]

Is there a way I can dynamically allocate an array. I remember in C++ there is something called linked list but is there an easy way in java?

Yes - there's a similar thing in Java. That's why I suggested a list. The link I gave discusses how to use lists.

If you do read that tutorial and decide to use a list (the section on lists is near the start) and get stuck, post what you've tried.

[smtwtfs]

Thank you!

sorry indeed you posted it! just list<integer> is a bit strange to me so i did not relate it to linked list. I will try it out.