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Java Java Objects (Retired) Harnessing the Power of Objects Helper Methods

Posted by Peter Price
Peter Price
4,007 Points

Now create a helper method called isFullyCharged. It should return true if the GoKart is at max charge.

Hi, I have a problem with the task written above. I would be grateful if someone could help.

This is the compiler's error code:

GoKart.java:16: error: illegal start of type if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){ ^ ./GoKart.java:16: error: illegal start of type if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){ ^ ./GoKart.java:16: error: ')' expected if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){ ^ ./GoKart.java:16: error: ';' expected if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){ ^ ./GoKart.java:16: error: invalid method declaration; return type required if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){ ^ ./GoKart.java:16: error: ';' expected if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){ ^ 6 errors

My code is below:

GoKart.java 
public class GoKart {
  public static final int MAX_BARS = 8;
  private String mColor;
  private int mBarsCount;
  GoKart goKart = new GoKart ("red");
  public GoKart(String color) {
    mColor = color;
    mBarsCount = 0;
  }
  public boolean isBatteryEmpty(){
    return mBarsCount == 0;  
  }
  public boolean isFullyCharged(){
    return mBarsCount == 0;
  }
  if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){
  }
  public String getColor() {
    return mColor;
  }
  public void charge() {
    mBarsCount = MAX_BARS;
  }
}

1 Answer

Jeremiah Montano
Jeremiah Montano
7,221 Points
Jeremiah Montano
Jeremiah Montano
7,221 Points

I believe your code may be structured incorrectly. You have declared a new class outside of a method on line 5. Your method for isFullyCharged stops on the first line which says return. The IF line appears to also be outside a method so that is why you are receiving the error. If i remember this exercise correctly, the code for this should look something like this:

public class GoKart {
  public static final int MAX_BARS = 8;
  private String mColor;
  private int mBarsCount;
  public GoKart(String color) {
    mColor = color;
    mBarsCount = 0;
  }
  public boolean isBatteryEmpty(){
    return mBarsCount == 0;  
  }
  public boolean isFullyCharged(){
    return mBarsCount == MAX_BARS;
  }

  public String getColor() {
    return mColor;
  }

  public void charge() {
 if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){
mBarsCount = MAX_BARS;
  }    

  }
}

I don't remember the exact details but remember that anything you declare should be inside a method. Initializing a new class, such as the GoKart gokart = new GoKart("Red"); should reside only in the main method and not the class method. I hope this helps!

Peter Price
Peter Price
4,007 Points

Hi Jeremiah, Thanks for your reply. I tried your code but it says: "There is a compiler error. Please click on preview to view your syntax errors." When I click on preview, it shows this:

GoKart.java:21: error: cannot find symbol

if (!goKart.isFullyCharged()){

(arrow)

symbol: variable goKart

location: class GoKart

1 error

Does anyone (including Jeremiah) have any idea of what it wants changed?