<identifier> expected, I'm stuck

[UnderpaidWorker]

Hello guys,

First time poster, and new to Java. I'm trying to make a temperature converter for my Java Programming class, which would convert amongst the three scales (Cel, Fah, Kelvin). I was on a role but then ran into a problem.

Here's the code (Red is where the errors occured):

import javax.swing.JOptionPane;
import java.text.DecimalFormat;

public class Project
{
	public static void main(String[] args)
		{
			System.out.println("\tThe Celrenvin Temperature Converter");

			//declare class variables
			int chosenScale, convertScale;
			double userValue, convert;

			//call methods
			chosenScale = getScale();
			userValue = getValue();
			selScale(chosenScale, convertScale);
		}


	//The getScale method asks the user to input a temperature scale to convert FROM.
	public static int getScale()
	{
		//declare method variables
		int scale = 0;
		boolean done = false;

		//loop while not done
		while(!done)
		{
			try
			{
				String message = JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null,"Enter the number corresponding with the temperature scale you are converting from: \n1) Celsius \n2) Fahrenheit \n3) Kelvin\n\n");

				scale = Integer.parseInt(message);


				//test for valid scales 1, 2, or 3
				if (scale<1 || scale>3) throw new NumberFormatException();
				else done = true;
			}
			catch(NumberFormatException e)
			{
				JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"Please enter a 1, 2, or 3.","Error",JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);
			}
		}
		return scale;
	}

	//The getValue() method asks the user to input a temperature value and validates it.
	public static double getValue()
	{
		//declare method variables
		double value = 0.0;
		boolean done = false;

		//loop while not done
		while(!done)
		{
			try
			{
				String answer = JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null,"Enter a temperature value:");

				value = Double.parseDouble(answer);

				//test for valid value
				if (value <= 0) throw new NumberFormatException();
				else done = true;
			}
			catch(NumberFormatException e)
			{
					JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"Your entry was not in the proper format.",	"Error",JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);
			}
		}
		return value;
	}

	//The selScale() method accepts the scale offers conversions for the chosen scale.
	[COLOR="Red"][B]public static double selScale(int chosenScale, convertScale)[/B][/COLOR]
	{
			int chosen = 0;

			switch(chosenScale)
			{
				case 1:
					chosen = convertScale;
					break;

				case 2:
					chosen = convertScale;
					break;

				case 3:
					chosen = convertScale;
					break;
			}
		return chosen;
	}
[COLOR="Red"][B]}[/B][/COLOR]

I'm prompted with 2 errors when I try to compile:
(The blue is where the indictator was pointing)

[COLOR="red"]<identifier> expected 
public static double selScale(int chosenScale, convertScale[COLOR="Blue"])[/COLOR]
                 
')' expected [COLOR="blue"]}[/COLOR][/COLOR]

I'm not done coding the program yet. I've spent approx. 2 1/2 hours searching the web, brainstorming, trying to figure out what the problem is specifically. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have to turn this by Thursday night at 12am, so I'm short on time I'm afraid.

[DevzAbhi]

public static double selScale(int chosenScale, double convertScale)


you should write like this

I've spent approx. 2 1/2 hours searching the web

its a syntax error that is why you are not able to search it on web

[UnderpaidWorker]

public static double selScale(int chosenScale, double convertScale)


you should write like this

Is there a way I could keep them both as integers? Since I have them both as 'int' in the class variables?

[Eranga]

Better to read bit more about method signature in Java.

This may help you.

[Eranga]

Is there a way I could keep them both as integers? Since I have them both as 'int' in the class variables?

public static double selScale(int chosenScale, [COLOR="Red"]int[/COLOR] convertScale)

[DevzAbhi]

oops my mistake .. you should keep them as integer ..

code by eranga is what u should use .....

[Eranga]

I really like that if our thread starter can keep eye on post #4. :)

[UnderpaidWorker]

I really like that if our thread starter can keep eye on post #4. :)

Thank you for the link, it's very informative.

I actually tried doing that about an hour and a half ago, but gave up because I received a:

variable convertScale might not have been initialized
public static double selScale(int chosenScale, int convertScale)

I just got the same error just now.

Unfortunately, I'm extremely tired (3:33am), so this little adventure isn't so much fun anymore as it was Wednesday night. *laughs*

[Eranga]

All local variables must initialize before use. It's best practice all variables, including instance variable, initialize before use.

[UnderpaidWorker]

All local variables must initialize before use. It's best practice all variables, including instance variable, initialize before use.

Thank you, I actually woke up a little now after getting over the original problem.

I appreciate it guys, I'll post the final code once it's complete.

[Eranga]

Ok, if you are working on an IDE just debug and see what values take by all variables before use.

[UnderpaidWorker]

Ok, if you are working on an IDE just debug and see what values take by all variables before use.

Could you repeat that?

[Eranga]

On what you are coding on Java? Notepad + Command prompt or any Java IDE?

[UnderpaidWorker]

On what you are coding on Java? Notepad + Command prompt or any Java IDE?

Java IDE, specifically Text Pad.

[Eranga]

Ok, if you are working on the Text Pad, just forget about debugging and stuff. First of all read the link I've post. Then read more about variable declarations and stuff. It'll helpful you to solve the problem. Then think about other stuff in later.

[CJSLMAN]

Suggestion... a simple way to debug a program is to put temporary println commands in the parts of your code that you think are not working so that you can see the flow of data and variable values.
For example:

...
int anInt = goGetSomething();
System.out.println("goGetSomething returned: " + anInt);
...

Luck,
CJSL

[Eranga]

First of all I think our thread starter must have a clear idea about the debugging. Seems to me he's mess on that my few last replays.

[xcallmejudasx]

Suggestion... a simple way to debug a program is to put temporary println commands in the parts of your code that you think are not working so that you can see the flow of data and variable values.
For example:

...
int anInt = goGetSomething();
System.out.println("goGetSomething returned: " + anInt);
...

Luck,
CJSL

This technique is a life saver. I only use the debugger in extremely rare cases. Pretty much everything can be figured out using a print statement if you know what your looking for in the first place.

[Eranga]

This technique is a life saver. I only use the debugger in extremely rare cases. Pretty much everything can be figured out using a print statement if you know what your looking for in the first place.

All the time I use a debugger. Few reasons are cause for that. Major thing is typing extra lines in the code can be mess later. :cool: Other thing is, in this way we can print and see only simple variables, I mean if I want to see the values in an array, need to print values in a loop. That means when the debug information become more complex additional lines take into. Watch list the simplest one I can use in such cases. :)