ArrayList: Substring or String split

[Sam Pauken]

I'm trying to read a list of names (first and last) and print out the last name. I'm trying to figure which way would be easier. Since the last name doesn't begin as a specific character point, I know that I should look for where a " " occurs at each name as I loop through the list, and then print out everything that comes after the " ".

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

I like split() better because it is easier to read the resulting code. People can have more than one space in their name, but you have that problem with either appraoch.

[Sam Pauken]

Ok, is there any way you could help me get started? I have never done this before and beyond what I've written above, I'm not sure how to approach this.

[James Boswell]

Sam

Do you have control over the format of the names being read? If so, how about a character like # to separate the first and last names?

[Sam Pauken]

I do not. This list has been given to me and I cannot modify it. It looks like this.

      ArrayList<String> players = new ArrayList<String>();

      players.add("Albert Pujols");
      players.add ("Jim Edmonds");
      players.add ("Josh Hamilton");
      players.add ("Mike Trout");
      players.add ("Adrian Gonzalez");
      players.add("Price Fielder");
      players.add("Steven Strasburg");
      players.add("Jose Bautista");
      players.add("Bryce Harper");
      players.add ("Mike Trout");

[James Boswell]

Sam

Are you not being asked to read the names from a resource such as a file?

[Sam Pauken]

Nope, both sections of code that I've posted are part of the same Java file. The part with the list is at the top of the program.

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Sam Pauken wrote:Ok, is there any way you could help me get started? I have never done this before and beyond what I've written above, I'm not sure how to approach this.

Step #1 - loop through the list
Step #2 - call split
Step #3 - print out last name

Which of these steps are you having trouble with? What do you have so far?

[Sam Pauken]

I'm having trouble with the split

    {
		for (int i=0; i<players.size(); i++) {
    		Variable for the last names


    		
		}
    			System.out.println("The players' last names are: " + last names);
    			
    }

>

[Stuart A. Burkett]

Sam Pauken wrote:I'm having trouble with the split

    {
		for (int i=0; i<players.size(); i++) {
    		Variable for the last names


    		
		}
    			System.out.println("The players' last names are: " + last names);
    			
    }

>

Based on that code your problem seesm to be that you aren't calling the split method. Can you show us the code where you do call it and then explain what the exact problem you are having is.

[Sam Pauken]

This is all I have to be honest.

[James Boswell]

String split method example (Java Code Geeks)

Java 7 API for String split method

[Sam Pauken]

OK, here's what I have. I getting red Xs under "String s" and under the "i" in the same line. I know that this really isn't a string, but I need to find some way to invoke with copy and pasting the entire list.

      {  
          for (int i=0; i<players.size(); i++)
        	  
        	  String s = players.get(i).toString();
        	  String[] temp;
        	  String delimiter;
        	  
        	  delimiter = " ";
        	  temp = s.split(delimiter);
        	  
        	  for (String s : temp)        	  
        	  {
        		  System.out.println("The players' last names are: "  );  
        		  System.out.println(players);
        	  }
                   
      }  

>

[sachin naikwadi]

You probably need to replace your inner for loop, following line of code may help you

String lastname = temp[temp.length-1];

[Campbell Ritchie]

Welcome to the Ranch

[Sam Pauken]

OK, I was able to get this working somewhat. From the code above, you see that there is a first and a last name. I'm trying out how to remove the first name and ONLY print the list of last names. Right now, something like this prints to the console. (I know that I need to move my first println() statement. I'll fix that at the end.) I do not know how to get started on this.

The players' last names are: Bryce
Harper

      {  
    	  
          for (int i=0; i<players.size(); i++)
          {
        	  String s = players.get(i).toString();
        	  
        	  String[] temp = s.split(" ");        	  
        	  System.out.printf("\nThe players' last names are: "  );
        	  
        	  for (String token : temp)        	  
        	  {        		    
        		  System.out.println(token);
        	  }
          }          
      } 

>

[Raymond Tong]

So you want to print the last name to the console but not with the first name ?
You have for-each loop on temp (which is array of names - first name followed by last name)
You normally use for-each loop when you want to iterate all elements of Iterable
If you just want a particular element, you could simply access that element (you know the index)

I think it may worth to spend some minutes to read the java tutorial, especially collections

[Sam Pauken]

Yes, I'd just like to print each last name to the console. If I can do this a completely different way if there's any easier way to do this. I do not need to do it the way I'm doing. Please let me know if there's any easier way to do this.

[Winston Gutkowski]

Sam Pauken wrote:Yes, I'd just like to print each last name to the console. If I can do this a completely different way if there's any easier way to do this. I do not need to do it the way I'm doing. Please let me know if there's any easier way to do this.

Sam, it's really difficult to help when you don't listen. I believe I already told you in your other thread that:
1. Code will NOT solve your problems for you. You have to think.
2. Trying out solutions at random won't work either. It'll just get you more frustrated.

Raymond has given you the best piece of advice you can get right now (and it would have been mine too) - READ THE TUTORIALS.
If you don't understand something, come back here telling us exactly what it is that you don't follow, and we'll try to help. But while you're just flailing around aimlessly, you will never succeed. Or if you do - by accident - you probably won't understand why you did.

The code you've just posted contains ALL the elements you need for a solution. Now you just need to put your thinking cap on.

Winston

[Sam Pauken]

I am going to read those. I was just wondering if there was a different way to do it.

[James Boswell]

Sam

When you say a different way, different from what? You have not attempted a solution to your problem of removing the first name from the output. Make an attempt (use the tutorials as a guide) and then post it here. At that point, others can guide you towards an alternative solution if necessary.