looking for recursive help using Void method

[tripline]

What do see that is wrong? Can you help me with my else statement?

• Write a recursive method with method header void printArray(int[] a, int size) that prints the first size elements of array a on separate lines.

printArray(…) should check to make sure size is a positive number less than or equal to the length of array a – if not, it should print out an error message and use System.exit(0) to exit the program.
If size is 0, printArray(…) should return without printing anything.
If size is 1, printArray(…) should print a[0] and return.
If size is > 1, printArray(…) should call printArray(a, size-1), then print a[size-1], and then return.

import java.util.*;
public class extra {
public static void printArray(int[] a, int size)
{
if (size<0)
System.out.println("Error");
if (size==0)
System.out.println();
if (size==1)
System.out.println ("0");
else
{
( factorial(n-1)); //Wrong, need help with this
}

}

[Fubarable]

You've not followed the directions, specifically when size is > 1.

[tripline]

You've not followed the directions, specifically when size is > 1.

Edited.
But that is where the else statement comes in. I don't know how to associate recursive to a void method, I keep getting errors on blue J.

[Fubarable]

OK, now you're calling some method that is not even defined in your code above. The key question to ask is this "what method must be called recursively"? The answer: the method you are currently in. So call that method, printArray, not some method pulled out of left field, factoral. Recursive means to call a method from within that same method, either directly or indirectly. Factoralization is just one example where recursion works well, but that's not what you're doing here.

[tripline]

I just learned this today so please bear with me and my vocab.
factorial means (n-1), (n-2)... and that is what the problem wanted me to do as a recursive right?
How do i call printArray(a, size-1)? Something needs to be in front of that statement but im not sure what.

[JosAH]

Hurray! Spoonfeeding! (this code snippet prints the array backwards).

kind regards,

Jos

[tripline]

Can you tell me the different between?When to use brackets, when to use paras?
(a[size - 1])
printArray(a, size - 1)

[tripline]

helpline - I see what you did there, but I am trying to find a way to connect both methods together.

public static void main(String[] args) {
int b[] = {3, 4, 5, 6};
int size = b.length;
printArray(a, size-1); //a is suppose to be from the public static void printArray(int[] a, int size)

can you help me with this?

[JosAH]

Can you tell me the different between?When to use brackets, when to use paras?
(a[size - 1])
printArray(a, size - 1)

Those square brackets are the array indexing operator: array[index] is the index-th element of the array. Those parentheses bracket the parameter list for methods. Read your textbook for a complete explanation of it all.

kind regards,

Jos

[DiamondSoul]

Hurray! Spoonfeeding! (this code snippet prints the array backwards).

kind regards,

Jos

Actually, no, it prints it forwards, because the output is done AFTER the call to printArray. So the recursive definition is like this:

To output n elements:
if n=0, finish
otherwise, output n-1 elements, followed by the final element.

Well, except that, for some reason, the assignment specs gave an unnecessary special case for when n=1.


@OP: As Fubarable said, factorial has nothing to do with the problem you are trying to solve, it is simply one example that is frequently used to demonstrate recursion.

Your printArray method is meant to be recursive, which means that it should call itself.

[JosAH]

Actually, no, it prints it forwards, because the output is done AFTER the call to printArray.

Check again ... (or just run it)

kind regards,

Jos