Advice on how to proceed with Array of Strings

General Discussion Other

maxxeldia..

Advice on how to proceed with Array of Strings

in General Discussion • Other • 9 months ago

General question before I get too deep here: I have am writing a program (or rather this is just part of a much larger program) that needs to read string values into a text file from two different source: source 1) dynamically learned over a wireless network (via custom generated nmea-type sentences); source 2) user specified input via on-screen keyboard. these strings need to be read into a text file and displayed on screen as list.

BUT heres the rub: this same array of strings needs to have the ability to be modified by the user, i.e. strings within the array need to be able to be remove/deleted as the user requires. and all of this displayed on the screen as the changes are made.

Any suggestions? I have come across several useful forum posts already that address various aspects of what I'm trying to accomplish just need some advice. Would a .txt file or .csv file be better?

Replies(4)

tfguy44

Re: Advice on how to proceed with Array of Strings

9 months ago

It really depends on what operations you want your users to be able to perform on the list. If you only want them to be able to select a subset of items from the list, that is much easier than allowing them to edit or add new items to the list.

Example code to select a subset of strings from an array of strings follows. Notice that I define an array of booleans to track if a specific string in the array is selected.

String[] myStrings = {"Pick me!", "And me!", "Not me though!", "Not me either!", "Blah!", "Cow level.", "Honk if you like cookies.", "Option 7", "Etc." };
boolean[] picked;
PFont myFont;
void setup(){
size(220,220);
// myStrings = loadStrings( "SomeURL" );
picked = new boolean[myStrings.length];
for( int i = 0; i < picked.length; i++ ){
picked[i] = true;
}
myFont = createFont( "Ariel", 12 );
textFont( myFont );
}
void draw(){
background(0);
for( int i = 0; i < myStrings.length; i++ ){
fill( picked[i]?255:64 );
text( myStrings[i], 10, 20 + 20 * i);
}
}
void mousePressed(){
int pick = mouseY / 20;
if( pick >= 0 && pick < picked.length ){
picked[pick] = !picked[pick];
}
}

PhiLho

Re: Advice on how to proceed with Array of Strings

9 months ago

" General question"
Indeed, that's why I moved the topic here, from Programming Questions (made for question about shown code).

maxxeldia..

Re: Advice on how to proceed with Array of Strings

9 months ago

PhiLho - what I'm actually wanting to do is allow the user to add and remove items and for these items to be saved in a text file so that when the program is closed and reopened their last edits will be saved. Basically the list will start out empty but will be populated and edited by the user. I would post the code, but its on my personal laptop and the only computer I have access to with internet is a gov't computer with locked out USB ports :(

To give a little more background though: Using controlP5 I am have an on-screen keyboard that allows user input into a Textfield. By inputting strings separated by commas and hitting enter the strings are saved into a text file, on string per line. This about 1/3 of the way towards where I need it to go.

Problems I'm trying to resolve: display this list on screen as it is saved and/or changes are made.

allow the strings to be modified regardless of where in the list/array they are located.

append or concat new entries to the list as they are made.

PhiLho

Re: Advice on how to proceed with Array of Strings

9 months ago

" append or concat new entries to the list as they are made."
See Why use ArrayList instead of array with append()?
If link is broken by Zoho, see the Technical FAQ page.

" display this list on screen as it is saved and/or changes are made"
A simple text() should do the job.
See also the topic, answering perhaps the last question.

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