Syntax Questions? array loop (new to processing)

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exelabel

Syntax Questions? array loop (new to processing)

in General Discussion • Other • 6 months ago

I'm trying to make an array that stores all the names, and another array that stores the # of votes for each name

from an external txt file

the txt file contains all words (voting results)

something like:

"Name: Amey"
"Voted For: Stephen Harper"

"Name: Usman"
"Voted For: Thomas Mulcair"

so everytime the system reads a name, it searches the name array to see if the name was registered before, if it was, then you just add one to the #of votes of this person, and if not, then put the name in the names array then you make the votes for that person = 1.

I'm kinda confused to how to write the syntax for this array loop

if the name is not registered before, (when the teacher changes your txt file) how can you record it into your names array and add one each time it appears?

Replies(4)

PhiLho

Re: Syntax Questions? array loop (new to processing)

5 months ago

You should use an ArrayList where you would put a custom class holding the name and the number of votes.
Having two separate arrays is prone to errors...
I suggest to check the Technical FAQ in the wiki, it has an simple introduction to classes for similar cases.

Chrisir

Re: Syntax Questions? array loop (new to processing)

5 months ago

doesn't this call for a hashMap?

GoToLoop

Re: Syntax Questions? array loop (new to processing)

5 months ago

Class HashMap would probably be the best fit.

But if you find it too hard to use, you may also consider a HashSet instead:

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/util/HashSet.html

http://javamex.com/tutorials/collections/using_3_sets_hashset.shtml

PhiLho

Re: Syntax Questions? array loop (new to processing)

5 months ago

HashMap is a better fit, but I didn't want to confuse the beginner... An array list is inefficient, as we have to loop over it to search the name, but is isn't really important here. My suggestion tried to stick to the original approach / algorithm.

For your information, exelabel, in a HashMap, you would use the names as keys, and the number of occurrences as values: you get the value without loop, because a HashMap knows an efficient way to get it directly.

GoToLoop, a HashSet is OK to know if a name is already used, but then you don't access the amount information. And it isn't much easier to use than a HashMap!

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