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Java Java Basics Perfecting the Prototype Parsing Integers

what does it mean when it says String cannot be converted to int

i have try every thing i know and it keeps saying the same thing

ParsingInts.java
String answerToLife = "42";
int answer = ("answerToLife");

1 Answer

Jennifer Nordell
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STAFF
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Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher

Hi there, kirianna grimaldo! The answerToLife variable is a String. And we want to create a new integer named answer that holds the Integer version of that String. So we have to do something called "parsing". This means that Java will look at that string and see if it can make it into an integer we can perform mathematical operations on later.

Some "numbers" aren't ever actually used as numbers. Your social security number or your credit card number for example aren't used for mathematical manipulations. Adding 2 to your social security doesn't really do anything except possibly refer to another person.

I highly suggest you review the previous video especially the part around 2:29 where Craig specifically uses Integer.parseInt to turn a string into its numerical equivalent.

Hope this helps, but let me know if you're still stuck! :sparkles: