making an array

[akingcool]

Hi, I am trying to make an array to read txt files. I have hard coded it to 3 for the array but I would prefer for it to be able to read the txt files to see how big the array should be. I have implemented some code to this but I am having trouble getting it to work.

package searchengine2;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.FileReader;
import java.io.BufferedReader;

/**
 *
 * @author Alex
 */
public class ReadFile {
     private String path;
    
            int readLines() throws IOException {
            
            FileReader file_to_read = new FileReader(path);
            BufferedReader textReader = new BufferedReader(file_to_read);
            
            String aLine;
            int numberOfLines = 0;
            
            while (( aLine = bf.readLine()) !=null) {
                numberOfLines++;
            }
            bf.close();
            
            return numberOfLines;
            }
            
            
    public ReadFile(String file_path) {
        path = file_path;
            
    }
    
    public String[] OpenFile() throws IOException {
        FileReader fr = new FileReader(path);               //reads characters
        BufferedReader textReader = new BufferedReader(fr); //used to store characters
        
        int numberOfLines = readLines();                              //number of lines in array
        String[] textData = new String[numberOfLines];      //set up array
        
        int i;
                                                               
        for (i=0; i < numberOfLines; i++) {                 //loop to put data into array
            textData[i] = textReader.readLine();            //access the data, textReader holding data in memory (buffer)
        }
        textReader.close();                                 //removes data from buffer
        return textData;
        }

}

Many Thanks if you can help!

[NormR1]

I am having trouble getting it to work.

Please explain the problem you are having.

Another (and better) approach would be to use an ArrayList to hold the lines from the file.

[akingcool]

when trying to run it, i have an error. I think i have made an error in the coding but not too sure where? i think I might have placed the coding to work out the number needed for the array in the wrong place but also no idea where else i should put it...

[NormR1]

when trying to run it, i have an error

If you want help with the error, you must post the full text of the message here.

[akingcool]

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.RuntimeException: Uncompilable source code - Erroneous sym type: bf.readLine
at searchengine2.ReadFile.readLines(ReadFile.java:23)
at searchengine2.ReadFile.OpenFile(ReadFile.java:41)
at searchengine2.SearchEngine2.main(SearchEngine2.java:22)
Java Result: 1

[NormR1]

Can you compile your code and generate error messages showing error message and the source line and the line number where the error occurred?
Here is what I get when I compile with an error:
Please copy full text of error message and paste it here. Here is a sample:

TestSorts.java:138: cannot find symbol
symbol  : variable var
location: class TestSorts
         var = 2;
         ^

Where is the variable bf defined?

[akingcool]

this is all the error messages I got :(

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.RuntimeException: Uncompilable source code - cannot find symbol
symbol: variable readLines
location: class searchengine2.ReadFile
at searchengine2.ReadFile.OpenFile(ReadFile.java:43)
at searchengine2.SearchEngine2.main(SearchEngine2.java:22)
Java Result: 1

I tried following this guide:
http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/java/read_a_textfile_in_java.html

[NormR1]

Where is the variable: readLines defined?

There is a method: readLines()
but the error message says variable, not method. Did you leave off the ()s?

[akingcool]

isnt this it?

int readLines() throws IOException {

[NormR1]

The error message says variable, not method???
What do you find if you Search your code for readLines?

[akingcool]

sorry im a complete newbie at this... i dont really understand what you mean?

[NormR1]

Use the Edit Search menu item in your editor/IDe to find all the occurrences of readLines in your program.
Do they all end with ()s or are they any without the ending ()?

The error message you posted:
symbol: variable readLines

says that the missing symbol is a variable, a method would end with ()s

[akingcool]

one of the readLines didnt have the () but I have now placed one there but it still doesnt seem to want to work...

[NormR1]

it still doesnt seem to want to work...

What happens?

[akingcool]

run:
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.RuntimeException: Uncompilable source code - Erroneous sym type: bf.readLine
at searchengine2.ReadFile.readLines(ReadFile.java:25)
at searchengine2.ReadFile.OpenFile(ReadFile.java:43)
at searchengine2.SearchEngine2.main(SearchEngine2.java:22)
Java Result: 1
BUILD SUCCESSFUL (total time: 1 second)

[akingcool]

i fixed the issue... after you mentioned not declaring bf i had a look back and noticed i typed in fileReader where I was meant to type bf. my bad... thanks for your help!

[NormR1]

Glad you got it working.

[akingcool]

how do i mark this as solved?