Upside down Triangle pattern

Hi Sorry if this is something that is often posted but I don't understand why the way I did it doesn't work and I'd like to find out why it doesn't.

The first triangle i did started as such
*
**
***...

This time I'd like to switch it upside down as follows
***
**
*

I did this by using the loop the opposite as I did with the first and instead of having j = 0 and incrementing it, i made j = n and decremented j.

Code:

---

          // loop N times, one for each row
        for (int i = n; i <= n; i--) {

            // print j periods
            for (int j = i; j <= i; j--)
                System.out.print("*");

            // print a new line
            System.out.println();
                }

---

But it rolls infinitely... :S

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Assume i = 1
You assign the value of i to j, j is 1.
Is j <= i? Is 1 less than or equal to 1? Yes.
Decrement j, j is now 0;
Is j <= i? Is 0 less than or equal to 1? Yes.
Decrement j, j is now -1;
Is j <= i? Is -1 less than or equal to 1? Yes.
etc

Questions about these star shape programs are always popping up on forums. My advice always is to write another method which takes 2 parameters: the character to be printed on a single line and the number of times it should be printed. Then back in your main method you have a loop that iterates "lines" number of times calling the print method. Now all you have to do is work out the algorithm for how many *'s (and possibly spaces) need to be printed on wach line.

Deconstruct your inner for loop.

What do you mean deconstruct my inner loop?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JayP

What do you mean deconstruct my inner loop?

---

See Junky's post.

You've setup an infinite loop with the j <= -1 condition.

Why is one of the i's ever be -1? if i = n, and j = i? I'm a little confused.

I also get an infinite loop when I change the parameter to j>=i.

Oh, I see, since j will always be bellow i. So is my entire methodology wrong by using decrements to trying to invert the triangle?

It is because your logic is wrong and you are just guessing. That does not work when it comes to programming. Walk away from the computer, grab a pencil and some paper, write down how many stars appear on each line. Do this for 3 rows, 4 rows, 5 rows etc. Then see if a pattern emerges. Once you have done that you can write the code.

Also did you ignore my advice about writing a separate method? If you do write this method you should find writing the code much easier. Plus it can be used for all such programs.

Figured it out, thanks.