Can user define array variable?

[Derek Smiths]

I am writing a program to store books (Book class) in volumes (Volume class). Within the main class (DemoVolume) I am doing a couple different things. I want to ask the user if they are creating a new array, if yes, I was to create a new array with a variable names assigned by the user. Is this possible? The reason is I want to allow the user to be able to search their library of volumes. If no, then the user will enter the book information and I will assign it to an array unassignedVolume that will contain individual books. I would also like to create book objects that are defined with the book name, if this is possible. I'm just messing around and trying to deepen my understanding of JAVA. My main issue is how to allow the user to title the volume (array variable).

import java.util.Scanner;
public class DemoVolume {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
String [] volume, unassignedVolume;
Volume volumeOne = new Volume("JAVA", 3, volume);
System.out.print("Are you starting a new volume, yes or no? ");
String response = input.next();
if(response.equalsIgnoreCase("yes")) {
System.out.print("What is the volume title: ");
String newVolume = input.next();
String [] tempVolume;
System.out.print("How many books will be in this volume? ");
int numberOfBooks = input.nextInt();
tempVolume = new String [numberOfBooks];
} else if (response.equalsIgnoreCase("no")) {
System.out.print("Enter title: ");
String title = input.next();
System.out.print("Enter author: ");
String author = input.next();
System.out.print("Enter number of pages: ");
int pages = input.nextInt();
Book
}
for(int i = 0; i < volume.length; i++) {
System.out.print("Enter ");
}
}
}

[Carey Brown]

No, you can't name an array dynamically, however you can have a Map (e.g. HashMap) that associates a key with a collection. Example
HashMap<String,ArrayList<MyClass>>
Where String is the volume title. ArrayList is used in place of an array and can be dynamically sized.

[fred rosenberger]

variable names are used by the programmer to keep track of stuff, not the end user.

[Junilu Lacar]

 

Carey Brown wrote:... you can have a Map (e.g. HashMap) that associates a key with a collection. Example
HashMap<String,ArrayList<MyClass>>
Where String is the volume title. ArrayList is used in place of an array and can be dynamically sized.

A few clarifications:

Maps associate Keys with Values.

It's up to you to specify the type of the Key and the type of the associated Value when you declare your variable. What makes sense in this case, if I understand what the OP wants to do correctly, would be a Map<String, List<Book>>. Map and List are interfaces. Prefer to declare types using interfaces rather than concrete implementation types, e.g. HashMap and ArrayList. Like so:

private Map<String, List<Book>> volumes = new HashMap<String, List<Book>>();
// As of JDK 7, use the diamond operator
private Map<String, List<Book>> volumes = new HashMap<>();

See http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/technotes/guides/language/type-inference-generic-instance-creation.html for more about the diamond operator