How do I turn this object into an array....

[Joe Wilkes]

is there a way without giving me the code, just giving me an explanation of how to put this data into an array that I can then serialize the array instead of just the member data. Is this clear?

Thanks,
Joe

public class FamilyMemberWriter{
 
private ObjectOutputStream os;

public void openFile(){
try{//trys to create new file
os = new ObjectOutputStream(new FileOutputStream("FamilyMembers.ser"));
}//closes try block

catch(IOException ex){//error in case file wont open
System.err.println( "Error opening file." );
}//closes catch block
}//end openFile

public void addFamilyMember(){
FamilyMember member;
String gender;
int month;
int day;
int year;
String first;
String last;

Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);

System.out.printf("%s\n%s\n%s\n%s\n\n",
"To Terminate input Type the end of file indicator",
"when you are prompted to enter input",
"On Unix/Linux/Mac OSX, type \"<ctrl> d\" then Enter",
"On Windows type \"<ctrl> z\" then Enter");

System.out.printf("%s\n%s",
"Enter Gender, Month of Birth, Day of Birth, Year of Birth, First Name, and Last Name.",
">");

while(input.hasNext()){
try{
gender=input.next();
month=input.nextInt();
day=input.nextInt();
year=input.nextInt();
first=input.next();
last=input.next();

if (gender==""){
System.out.println("You must spell out Male or Female. Please Try again");
}//ends if gender
else{
member = new FamilyMember(gender,month,day,year,first,last);
os.writeObject(member);
}
}//ends else
catch ( IOException ioException ){
           System.err.println( "Error writing to file." );
           return;
        } // end catch
catch (NoSuchElementException elementException){
System.err.println("Invalid Input. Please try again");
input.nextLine();
}//ends catch elementexception
}//ends while
}//ends addFamilyMember
public void closeFile(){
try{
os.close();//closes the output stream
}
catch(IOException ex){
System.err.println( "Error closing the file." );
}//closes catch block
}//end closeFile
}//end FamilyMemberWriter

[ March 09, 2006: Message edited by: Joe Wilkes ]

[Sam Codean]

Use Reflection to make an array of the variable states and then serialize only that.
When you retrieve populate only that.

[Joe Wilkes]

I am not sure what that even means... Can you explain a little more. This is for my advanced java class and we are just getting into I/O.

[Paul Clapham]

That looks like working code. Why do you need to put something (I couldn't understand what) into an array? Does your assignment say to put something into an array, or is that your idea of a workaround for some problem you are having?

[Joe Wilkes]

This is what the program is supposed to do. He wants there to be user input so I though this would be the easy way, maybe I am wrong. Would an array of strings work better to store data to?

Create a program that stores an array of objects (your choice) and then uses serialization to store that array of objects to a file. The objects in the array must contain at least one reference to another object. You will have to do a "deep copy" which means that all objects referenced must be "serializable"

[Sam Codean]

Oh i think the question is quite straightforward.
Make a Array of the Family Members class and populate each element of that array with some entries.
Now that you have the Array of Family members (each refering to another set of objects, name, address, phone etc.) you have to only serialize this array (Array is also an Object).
Write this serialized object to a file.
If you need further help feel free to contact me.
Hope that helps!!

[Sam Codean]

Hi Joe,
I have modified your code a little. I could not test the code as i do not have a jdk1.5
Please see the comments on the code. Modify the Method that reads the FAmily Members and the code should work fine.
Hope that helps. Do reply in case you find issues or anyways

   
import java.io.*;
 
public class Test
{
    private FamilyMember[] familyMembers;
 
    public Test()
    {
        this.familyMembers = new FamilyMember[0];
    }
    
    public FamilyMember[] getFamilyMembers()
    {
        return this.familyMembers;
    }
 
    public void setFamilyMembers(FamilyMember[] familyMembers)
    {
        this.familyMembers = familyMembers;
    }
    
    public void print()
    {
        if(this.familyMembers == null)
        {
            System.out.println("NULL");
            return;
        }
        
        for(int i=0; i<familyMembers.length; i++)
        {
            familyMembers[i].print();
        }
    }
    
    
    public void initFamilyMembers(int count)
    {
        this.familyMembers = new FamilyMember[count];
        for(int i=0; i<count; i++)
        {
            this.familyMembers[i] = this.createFamilyMember();
        }
    }
    
    public FamilyMember createFamilyMember()
    {
   String gender = "gender";
int month = 10;
int day = 10;
int year = 10;
String first = "First";
String last = "Last";
    
/*
 *This code is copied from your code. I do not have a jdk1.5 so sorry i could not compile and test this one
 *I think if you modify this section of code to read one particular Member then the Code should work fine
 *

Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);

System.out.printf("%s\n%s\n%s\n%s\n\n",
"To Terminate input Type the end of file indicator",
"when you are prompted to enter input",
"On Unix/Linux/Mac OSX, type \"<ctrl> d\" then Enter",
"On Windows type \"<ctrl> z\" then Enter");

System.out.printf("%s\n%s",
"Enter Gender, Month of Birth, Day of Birth, Year of Birth, First Name, and Last Name.",
">");

while(input.hasNext()){
try{
gender=input.next();
month=input.nextInt();
day=input.nextInt();
year=input.nextInt();
first=input.next();
last=input.next();

if (gender==""){
System.out.println("You must spell out Male or Female. Please Try again");
}//ends if gender
else{
member = new FamilyMember(gender,month,day,year,first,last);
}
*/
return new FamilyMember(gender, month, day, year, first, last);
}
 
    
    public static void main(String args[])
    {
        Test test = new Test();
        test.initFamilyMembers(5);
        ArrayWriter writer = new ArrayWriter(test.getFamilyMembers(), "FamilyMembers.ser");
        writer.write();
        
        ArrayReader reader = new ArrayReader("FamilyMembers.ser");
        Object temp = reader.read();
        
        if(temp != null)
        {
            FamilyMember[] members = (FamilyMember[]) temp;
            test.setFamilyMembers(members);
            test.print();
        }
    }
}
 

class ArrayWriter
{
    private Object array;
    private String fileName;
    
    public ArrayWriter(Object[] array, String fileName)
    {
        this.array = array;
        this.fileName = fileName;
    }
    
    public void write()
    {
            try
            {
                FileOutputStream out = new FileOutputStream(fileName);
                ObjectOutputStream obj_out = new ObjectOutputStream(out);
                obj_out.writeObject(this.array);
                obj_out.close();
            }
            catch(IOException ioe)
            {
                System.err.println( "Error opening file." );
            }
        }
}
 
class ArrayReader
{
    private Object array;
    private String fileName;
    
    public ArrayReader(String fileName)
    {
        this.array = null;
        this.fileName = fileName;
    }
    
    public Object read()
    {
            try
            {
                FileInputStream in = new FileInputStream(fileName);
                ObjectInputStream obj_in = new ObjectInputStream(in);
                this.array = obj_in.readObject();
                obj_in.close();
            }
            catch(ClassNotFoundException ioe)
            {
                System.err.println( "Class could not be found" );
            }
            catch(IOException ioe)
            {
                System.err.println( "Error opening file." );
            }
            
            return this.array;
        }
}
 

class FamilyMember implements Serializable
{
private String gender;
private int month;
private int day;
private int year;
private String first;
private String last;
 
        public FamilyMember(String gender, int month, int day, int year, String first, String last)
        {
            this.gender = gender;
            this.month = month;
            this.day = day;
            this.year = year;
            this.first = first;
            this.last = last;
        }

public void setGender(String gender)
{
    this.gender = gender;
}
public String getGender()
{
    return this.gender;
}
 

public void setMonth(int month)
{
    this.month = month;
}
public int getMonth()
{
    return this.month;
}
 
public void setDay(int day)
{
    this.day = day;
}
public int getDay()
{
    return this.day;
}
 
public void setYear(int year)
{
    this.year = year;
}
public int getYear()
{
    return this.year;
}
 
public void setFirst(String first)
{
    this.first = first;
}
public String getFirst()
{
    return this.first;
}
 
public void setLast(String last)
{
    this.last = last;
}
public String getLast()
{
    return this.last;
}


public void print()
{
            System.out.println("gender:" + gender);
            System.out.println("month:" + month);
            System.out.println("day:" + day);
            System.out.println("year:" + year);
            System.out.println("first:" + first);
            System.out.println("last:" + last);
}
 
}
 

[Garrett Rowe]

is there a way without giving me the code, just giving me an explanation of how to put this data into an array that I can then serialize the array instead of just the member data.

Doing someones homework for them doesn't really help them at all.
[ March 11, 2006: Message edited by: Garrett Rowe ]

[Joe Wilkes]

Thats ok, I figured it just before I read the post. Thanks for all the info guys, you really got me back on the right track....

[Sam Codean]

Oh Yes! I am sorry, next time i will not do that