ArrayList

I want to have a helper class to my main class. In the helper class I want to create objects and store them in the first class ArrayList of 2nd class's objects. But, I want each object to have different amount of variables and type of variables. So basically I want an ArrayList as follow

ArrayList<otherClass>

position [0] would be int a, int b
position [1] let's say String a, JLabel b
position [2] let's say Jlabel a, b, c, d, e, f

Is something like this possible?

You can't add different data types to one ArrayList, use Vector instead.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by milovan

You can't add different data types to one ArrayList, use Vector instead.

---

Yes you can, the Object class is the mother of all classes so each class/type is an Object; ArrayLists can store Object elements. It's all the same with Vectors.

kind regards,

Jos

@Jos
In the end you are right as always, but do you think it is clear enough to OP

There is one other approach to this task.

You can have one class for all data

Code:

---

class Helper {
    int a;
    String s;
    double d;

    // encapsulate all these fields with set() and get() methods, for example:
    public int getInt(){
        return a;
    }

---

now you can use it within ArrayList in any class

Code:

---

class TestClass{
    ArrayList<Helper> array = new ArrayList<Helper>();
    // populate array with various Helper objects

    // now you can get wanted elements for example:
    int x = array.get(somePosition).getInt();

---

@milovan: that is overkill; have a look at this:

Code:

---

import java.util.ArrayList;

public class T {   
        public static void main (String[] args) {
                ArrayList<Object> l= new ArrayList<Object>();
               
                l.add(42);
                l.add(54.0);
                l.add("foo");
               
                System.out.println(l);
        }
}

---

kind regards,

Jos

As I said you are right, OP have to take care in what to cast objects from arraylist, but it wolud be the same with vector, so again you are right. My second example is more in line with OP first post, with the task. I'm not sure if I understand it correctly but he mentioned two classes, one to "create objects" and to store them in second class (object) itc. My code would be one of possible directions if applicable...

I think OP meant an array list that contains array lists of sets of variables...

Code:

---

ArrayList<ArrayList<Object>> lList;
...
int i = (int)lList.get(intArrayIndex).get(inIndex);
String s = (String)lList.get(stringArrayIndex).get(strIndex);
...

---

thanks for the info....still in a little bit of doubt, let me explain further

main class has a JPanel with a cardlayout. Each card will have multiple options (let's say one card will have 5 checkboxes, 3jbuttons, 2textfields), a 2ndcard will have (19Jcheckboxes) a 3rd card will have (5 radio buttons)

So idea is to have that 2nd class create the contents of a card so that the code is not bloated with hundreds of checkboxes etc. The 2nd class identifies the string parameter passed to it and based on the string parameter calls method that contains the contents of a card.

Ok. I got what I wanted

it's working how i want now......thanks for the help again!

It's me again.....one more question.....How do I do add the actionlistener to the below???

Code:

---

public void cardInformation(JPanel panel1, String exname) {
         
         
          getInfo = new SupportingDoc(exname);
          ArrayList<JComponent> arrays = getInfo.getArray();
          for(JComponent eachcomp : arrays) {
                  panel1.add(eachcomp);
                  eachcomp.addActionListener(textFieldListener);
                  /*above line doesn't work The method addActionListener(ActionListener) is undefined for the type JComponent
                    * So how would I add listeners to all the JComponents now? some are jbuttons, some are jtextfields, Jcheckboxes???
                    */
                 
          }
         
         
  }

---

Edit... I think i need to convert from JComponent back to Jtextfield/jlabel etc...right? would i use getUIClassID()?

Ok. I think I got it........works fine....does it look right?

Code:

---

public void cardInformation(JPanel panel1, String exname) {
         
         
          getInfo = new SupportingDoc(exname);
          ArrayList<JComponent> arrays = getInfo.getArray();
          for(JComponent eachcomp : arrays) {
                 
                  if(eachcomp.getUIClassID().equals("ButtonUI")) {
                          panel1.add((JButton) eachcomp);
                          ((JButton) eachcomp).addActionListener(textFieldListener);
                  }
                  else if(eachcomp.getUIClassID().equals("TextFieldUI")) {
                          panel1.add((JTextField) eachcomp);
                  }
                  else if(eachcomp.getUIClassID().equals("LabelUI")) {
                          panel1.add((JLabel) eachcomp);
                  }
                  else if(eachcomp.getUIClassID().equals("CheckBoxUI")) {
                          panel1.add((JCheckBox) eachcomp);
                  }
          }
  }

---