printing asterisks shape in java

[ATB]

i am supposed to Write a program that prints a shape similar to the following shape. Maximize use of loops and minimize use of print statements.
.....*
....**
...***
..****
...***
....**
.....*
(without the "...")(i couldn't get it to stay in shape)


this is what i got so far:

package assignment7;
 
public class Exercise3 
{
	 public static void main (String[] args)
	 {
	  for (int count =0; count < 4; count++)
	  {
	    for (int j=0; j < count+1; j++)
	       System.out.print("*");
	    System.out.println();
	  }
	  for (int count =3; count >= 0; count--)
	  {
	    for (int j=0; j < count-1; j++)
	       System.out.print("*");
	    System.out.println();
	  }
	 }
}

this compiles to:
*
**
***
****
**
*

how do i center it to create the shape?

[jim829]

Prefix each line with the appropriate number of spaces.

Regards,
Jim

[ATB]

what does that mean?

[jim829]

Use spaces at the beginning of each line to properly center the asterisks.

Regards,
Jim

[ATB]

how does that work in the code?

[jim829]

Try these out to see what I mean.

System.out.println("*");
System.out.println("    *");

Figuring out how to do it properly is the crux of the assignment.

Regards,
Jim

[gimbal2]

The original post actually already displays the solution; it puts dots in front of the stars and you can almost literally read that as "you need to put this many spaces in front to center the line".