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Java Java Objects Creating the MVP Conference Registration Assistant

Robert Roberson
PLUS
Robert Roberson
Courses Plus Student 8,401 Points

what is wrong with this code?

it tells me my code will always return 0 for lineNumber

ConferenceRegistrationAssistant.java
public class ConferenceRegistrationAssistant {

int lineNumber = 0;
  /**
   * Assists in guiding people to the proper line based on their last name.
   *
   * @param lastName The person's last name
   * @return The line number based on the first letter of lastName
   */
  public int getLineNumberFor(String lastName) {


    if (lastName.charAt(0) <= 'M') { int lineNumber = 1; }
    else { int lineNumber = 2; }

    return lineNumber;
}

}
Example.java
public class Example {

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    /*
      IMPORTANT:  You can compare characters using <, >. <=, >= and == just like numbers
     */
    if ('C' < 'D') {
      System.out.println("C comes before D");
    }

    if ('B' > 'A') {
      System.out.println("B comes after A");
    }

    if ('E' >= 'E') {
      System.out.println("E is equal to or comes after E");
    }

    // This code is here for demonstration purposes only...
    ConferenceRegistrationAssistant assistant = new ConferenceRegistrationAssistant();
    /*
      Remember that there are 2 lines.
      Line #1 is for A-M
      Line #2 is for N-Z
     */

    /*
      This should set lineNumber to 2 because
      The last name is Zimmerman which starts with a Z.
      Therefore it is between N-Z
     */
    lineNumber = assistant.getLineNumberFor("Zimmerman");

    /*
      This method call should set lineNumber to 1, because 'A' from "Anderson" is between A-M.
     */
    lineNumber = assistant.getLineNumberFor("Anderson");

    /*
      Likewise Charlie Brown's 'B' is between 'A' and 'M', so lineNumber should be set to 1
     */
    lineNumber = assistant.getLineNumberFor("Brown");
  }

}

1 Answer

Garrett McCarter
Garrett McCarter
2,844 Points

I believe it is because you are saying "int lineNumber= 1" in your if statement instead of saying "lineNumber = 1". This is effectively creating a second variable "lineNumber" that is only visable in you if statement. It's not touching the lineNumber variable declared just above the "if" statement.

Try taking out "int" in your if/else statements and see if it works.

Robert Roberson
Robert Roberson
Courses Plus Student 8,401 Points

i did as you suggested. now the exercise just hangs. i clicked check work and it just keeps saying "its working'" It has been doing that for 40 minutes now. It does not do anything, it does not say it is right, it does not say my code is wrong, it gives me no output errors.

Robert Roberson
Robert Roberson
Courses Plus Student 8,401 Points

ok thank you it just went through. i dont know why it took 40 minutes to check my work, strange.