# Java programming question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 5, 2007, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-programming-question/406800 "2007-06-05T05:26:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-programming-question/406800/1 "2007-06-05T05:26:20Z")
For my Java programming class, I have a lab due every three days. Instead of writing the header information for each lab over and over again, I decided to write a class that asks me for the lab number and puts the appropriate information in for me. I feel like my code is right, but the compiler is giving me some strange errors. If someone would take a look and let me know what’s wrong, I’d appreciate it. Disclaimer: This is _not an assignment_ and this code is completely original. This is something I’m doing for my own convience, interest in computers, and overconsumption of caffeine. My code: ```auto import java.util.*; import javax.swing.JOptionPane; public class headerInfo { public static void main( String [] args ) { byte labNum = JOptionPane.showInputDialog( null, "Lab number:" ); String labInfo; if( labNum = 1 ) // Asks user for lab number; stores dueDate with // approprate date and lab info GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 5, 29 ); labInfo = "Lab #1: Sphere Problem"; else if( labNum = 2 ) GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 6, 3 ); labInfo = "Lab #2: Pre-Defined Classes"; else if( labNum = 3 ) GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 6, 7 ); labInfo = "Lab #3: Functions/Methods with No Parameters"; else if( labNum = 4 ) GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 6, 10 ); labInfo = "Lab #4: Function/Methods WITH Parameters"; else if( labNum = 5 ) GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 6, 13 ); labInfo = "Lab #5: For/While and If/Else Loops"; else if( labNum = 6 ) GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 6, 26 ); labInfo = "User-Defined Classes"; else if( labNum = 7 ) GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 7, 2 ); labInfo = "GUI: Buttons, Fields, Layout Manager"; else JOptionPane.showMessageDialog( null, "Lab does not exist." ); return; System.out.println( "Programmer: Agent Foxtrot" ); System.out.println( "Class: CSI-161/Section: 875" ); System.out.println( labInfo ); System.out.println( "Due Date: " + dueDate.get( Calendar.MONTH ) + "/" + dueDate.get( Calendar.DAY_OF_MONTH ) + "/" + dueDate.get( Calendar.YEAR ) ); } } ``` And the compiler errors: ```auto headerInfo.java:13: not a statement GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 5, 29 ); ^ headerInfo.java:13: ';' expected GregorianCalendar dueDate = new GregorianCalendar( 2007, 5, 29 ); ^ headerInfo.java:16: 'else' without 'if' else if( labNum = 2 ) ^ headerInfo.java:20: 'else' without 'if' else if( labNum = 3 ) ^ headerInfo.java:24: 'else' without 'if' else if( labNum = 4 ) ^ headerInfo.java:28: 'else' without 'if' else if( labNum = 5 ) ^ headerInfo.java:32: 'else' without 'if' else if( labNum = 6 ) ^ headerInfo.java:36: 'else' without 'if' else if( labNum = 7 ) ^ headerInfo.java:40: 'else' without 'if' else ^ 9 errors ``` My textbook has the if, else if, and else statements in curly { } brackets in one example, and without the curly { } brackets in another, but doesn’t explain if they’re necessary or not. Why does it protest when I call the first instance of GregorianCalendar, but not the rest? I am using jGRASP. Thanks for any help given. Adam ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-programming-question/406800/2 "2007-06-05T05:42:43Z")
Nevermind, everyone. I found my bugs. Mods, do whatever you wish with this thread. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-programming-question/406800/3 "2007-06-05T05:45:25Z")
I’m not sure about your GregorianCalendar problem. Have you tried adding the following? include java.util.GregorianCalendar; As for the if statements, your code is wrong. There should be brackets. They’re only optional if only one line follows the if or else if statement. For example: ```auto if( labNum = 1 ) labInfo = "Lab #1: Sphere Problem"; if( labNum = 1 ) { labInfo = "Lab #1: Sphere Problem"; } ``` Are both valid. In your case, you have two statements, so the brackets are necessary. This is more a question of style, but for what you’re doing, I’d use a switch statement: ```auto switch(labNum) { case 1: //Do stuff break; case 2: //Do stuff break; case 3: //Do stuff break; default: //Do stuff break; } ``` ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-programming-question/406800/4 "2007-06-05T05:51:52Z")
[QUOTE=jovan] I’m not sure about your GregorianCalendar problem. Have you tried adding the following? include java.util.GregorianCalendar; As for the if statements, your code is wrong. There should be brackets. They’re only optional if only one line follows the if or else if statement. For example: ```auto if( labNum = 1 ) labInfo = "Lab #1: Sphere Problem"; if( labNum = 1 ) { labInfo = "Lab #1: Sphere Problem"; } ``` Are both valid. In your case, you have two statements, so the brackets are necessary. This is more a question of style, but for what you’re doing, I’d use a switch statement: ```auto switch(labNum) { case 1: //Do stuff break; case 2: //Do stuff break; case 3: //Do stuff break; default: //Do stuff break; } ``` [/QUOTE] Well, GregorianCalendar is a class that exists in the java.util package, but yes, I have tried importing java.util.GregorianCalendar. Still doesn’t work. I like switch, now that you mention it. Think I’ll research that a bit more and adjust my code. Thanks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-programming-question/406800/5 "2007-06-05T05:54:11Z")
Your **real** problem was using ‘=’ instead of ‘==’ for comparison, wasn’t it? In addition, you need the curlies (’ { } ') for multiple-statement clauses within ‘if’ or ‘else’ blocks; and I find it good practice to use them for single-statement blocks as well (tomorrow, I or a co-worker may need to add a line. I don’t really trust her to remember to add the curlies if that happens, and I \*\*certainly \*\*don’t trust myself to do it! \*\*jovan \*\*-- GregorianCalendar is covered by the “import java.util.\*;” Although in my experience, I’d usually write the lines as **Calendar** cName = new GregorianCalendar(\); (unless you’re using a method that is specific to GregorianCalendar() and doesn’t exist on the Calendar interface.) ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-programming-question/406800/6 "2007-06-05T06:22:14Z")
[QUOTE=Noone Special] Your **real** problem was using ‘=’ instead of ‘==’ for comparison, wasn’t it? [/QUOTE] Eh, I can’t believe I missed that. I even c&p it into my “corrected” code. mypost.Gaudere(true); ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-programming-question/406800/7 "2007-06-05T06:33:17Z")
Yeah, I noticed I used “=” instead of “==” after I posted. Good looking out. Adam