Develop Reference

Random number guessing game with limitations after each guess

I am making a number guessing game:
The computer generates a number inside an interval
I try to guess it and receive a reply whether it's higher/lower than my guess or equals to my guess and I've won
There is an interval in which I can guess, as well as a guess attempt limit
The trick is, however, that I need to implement another condition: each guess should "shrink" the interval in which I'm able to guess. For example: computer generates 50, I guess 25, computer replies "The random number is larger.". Now knowing that, I should not guess anything lower than 25 again, it's unreasonable. In case I guess i.e. 15, the computer should reply "The guess doesn't make sense.". I understand that I somehow need to save each guess value to a new variable, but nothing seems to work. I'm a beginner, please bear with the following code, I've tried a lot of things:
public String guess(int guess)
{
int lowerBound = 0;
int upperBound = 99;
Set<Integer> lowerGuesses = new TreeSet<>();
Set<Integer> higherGuesses = new TreeSet<>();
if (gameOver) {
return "The game is over.";
}
if (guess < 0 || guess > 99) {
return "The guess is out of bounds.";
}
if (guessCount < maxGuessCount) {
if (guess < secretNumber) {
if (lowerGuesses.contains(guess)) {
return "The guess doesn't make sense.";
}
else {
guessCount++;
lowerBound = guess;
lowerGuesses.add(guess);
return "The random number is larger.";
}
}
if (guess > secretNumber) {
if (higherGuesses.contains(guess)) {
return "The guess doesn't make sense.";
}
else {
guessCount++;
upperBound = guess;
higherGuesses.add(guess);
return "The random number is smaller.";
}
}
if (lowerGuesses.contains(guess)) {
return "The guess doesn't make sense.";
}
if (higherGuesses.contains(guess)) {
return "The guess doesn't make sense.";
}
}
if (guess < lowerBound || guess > upperBound) {
return "The guess doesn't make sense.";
}
if (guessCount == maxGuessCount) {
gameOver = true;
victorious = false;
return "Ran out of guess attempts.";
}
guessCount++;
gameOver = true;
victorious = true;
return "You won.";
}
Thank you in advance!

First, to avoid confusion, let's rename the method in order to make sure that its name is not an exact match with its parameter, so this is how it should look like:
public String makeGuess(int guess)
avoid naming different entities in the same name space with the exact same name (local variables being present in different methods or parameters having similar names with data members for the purpose of initialization are an exception). From now on, you will call the method as makeGuess(25), for example.
Now, to the actual problem. You have an incorrect assumption. You assume that you need to keep track of past intervals. That's not the case. You can just change the edges of the intervals. Also, your code is superfluous, I advise you to refactor it. Finally, you always initialize upper bounds, local bounds and higher and lower guesses as local variables, so they will never be kept track of. Instead of this, you need to perform the following simple measures in order to make this work:
Define the bounds and limit as data members
protected int lowerBound = 0;
protected int higherBound = 99;
protected int lb = 0;
protected int hb = 99;
protected int limit = 5;
protected int guessCount = 0;
protected int randomizedNumber; //Initialize this somewhere
Note that I have hard-coded some values. You might want to make this dynamic with initialization and stuff like that, but that's outside the scope of the answer. lowerBound, higherBound, limit are game settings. while lb, hb, guessCount represent the game state. You could separate this logic into another class, but for the sake of simplicity, even though I would program differently, I will leave them here in this case.
Have a method that initializes the game
public void initialize() {
lb = lowerBound;
hb = higherBound;
guessCount = 0;
}
So you separate your concern of game initialization from the outer logic of starting and maintaining a game.
Implement makeGuess in a simplistic way
public String makeGuess(int guess) {
if (++guessCount >= limit) return "The game is over.";
else if ((lb > guess) || (hb < guess)) return "The guess doesn't make sense";
else if (randomizedNumber == guess) return "You won.";
else if (guess < randomizedNumber) {
hb = guess;
return "The random number is smaller.";
} else {
lb = guess;
return "The random number is larger.";
}
}
NOTE: I dislike mixing up the logic with the output layer, the reason I did it in the method above was that you have mentioned you are a beginner and my intention is to make this answer understandable for the person who just begun programming and is very confused. For the purpose of actual solutions, you should return a state and in a different layer process that state and perform the console/UI operations you need. I will not go through the details now, as it would also be outside of scope, but for now, please have some success with the solution above, but THEN you should DEFINITELY look into how you need to code, because that is almost as important as making your code work.

Random Number Occurrence Check

I have an array of Strings and when the user taps the button inside my app I generate a random number and use it to select a random String from my facts[] array. However, I tried improving my code so that the same random number would "never" occur(leading to the same String been shown to the user). Despite my efforts, my "Check" blocks doesn't seem to work since it generates a random fact when I click the button for the first time and then it does nothing. Please help me figure out the correct logic behind this and maybe write a more efficient code-block.
My current logic: check if the random number that has been generated already exists in my int[] factsCheck array and if it does create another one.If it doesn't add it to the array so that the program knows it has already been created once.
int[] factsCheck = new int[facts.length];
boolean isNotNewRandomNumber = true;
int count = 0;
int randomNumberToReturn;
private void initFactsCheck() {
for(int i=0; i<=factsCheck.length;i++) {
factsCheck[i] = -1;
}
}
String getFact() {
// Randomly select a fact
Random randomGenerator = new Random();
while(isNotNewRandomNumber) {
randomNumberToReturn = randomGenerator.nextInt(facts.length);
for(int i = 0; i<factsCheck.length; i++) {
if(factsCheck[i] == randomNumberToReturn) {
break;
} else {
count++;
}
}
if (count == factsCheck.length) {
// Doesn't exist
isNotNewRandomNumber = false;
}
count = 0;
}
return facts[randomNumberToReturn];
}

In the beginning of getFacts(), add this:
isNotNewRandomNumber = true;
The problem is that you isNotNewRandomNumber to false the first time you call getFacts(), then you never set it to true again, so you will never go into the while loop again.
I'm not sure that's all you need to do. There might be other errors too. It seems unnecessary to have a for loop inside the while loop. There must be a better way. And you probably want to set factsCheck[x] to some appropriate value just before the return statement.

Why is there no output from the While loop in my code, despite everything else working?

I made this program in java, on the BlueJ IDE. It is meant to take a number in the decimal base and convert it into a base of the users choice, up till base 9. It does this by taking the modulus between two numbers and inserting it into a string. The code works till the input stage, after which there is no output. I am sure my maths is right, but the syntax may have a problem.
My code is as follows:
import java.util.*;
public class Octal
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
Scanner in = new Scanner(System.in);
int danum = 0;
int base = 0;
System.out.println("Please enter the base you want the number in (till decimal). Enter as a whole number");
base=in.nextInt(); //This is the base the user wants the number converted in//
System.out.println("Enter the number you want converted (enter in decimal)");
danum=in.nextInt(); //This is the number the user wants converted//
while ( danum/base >= base-1 && base < danum) {
int rem = danum/base; //The number by the base//
int modu = danum % base;//the modulus//
String summat = Integer.toString(modu);//this is to convert the integer to the string//
String strConverted = new String();//Making a new string??//
StringBuffer buff = new StringBuffer(strConverted);//StringBuffer command//
buff.insert(0, summat); //inserting the modulus into the first position (0 index)//
danum = rem;
if ( rem <= base-1 || base>danum) {//does the || work guys?//
System.out.println(rem + strConverted);
}
else {
System.out.println(strConverted);
}
}
}
}
I am very new to Java, so I am not fully aware of the syntax. I have done my best to research so that I don't waste your time. Please give me suggestions on how to improve my code and my skill as a programmer. Thanks.

Edit (previous answer what obviously a too quick response...)
String summat = Integer.toString(modu);
String strConverted = new String();
StringBuffer buff = new StringBuffer(strConverted);
buff.insert(0, summat);
...
System.out.println(strConverted);
Actually, strConverted is still an empty string, maybe you would rather than display buff.toString()
But I don't really understand why making all of this to just display the value of modu. You could just right System.out.println(modu).
I assume that you want to "save" your value and display your whole number in one time and not each digit a time by line.
So you need to store your number outside of while loop else your string would be init at each call of the loop. (and print outside)
So, init your StringBuffer outside of the loop. you don't need to convert your int to String since StringBuffer accept int
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/lang/StringBuffer.html#insert-int-int-
(You could even use StringBuilder instead of StringBuffer. It work the same except StringBuffer work synchronized
https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/lang/StringBuilder.html)
Your if inside the loop is a specific case (number lower than base) is prevent before the loop since it's the opposite condition of your loop. (BTW : rem <= base-1 and base>danum are actually only one test since rem == danum at this place)
so :
StringBuffer buff = new StringBuffer();
if(base > danum) {
buff.append(danum);
} else {
while (danum / base >= base - 1 && base < danum) {
int rem = danum / base;
int modu = danum % base;
buff.insert(0, modu);
danum = rem;
}
if(danum > 0) {
buff.insert(0, danum);
}
}
System.out.println(buff.toString());
I would also strongly recommand to test your input before running your code. (No Zero for base, no letters etc...)

2 Things
do a lot more error checking after getting user input. It avoids weird 'errors' down the path
Your conversion from int to String inside the loop is wrong. Whats the whole deal summat and buff.... :: modifying the buffer doesnt affect the strConverted (so thats always empty which is what you see)
try to get rid of this. :)
error is logic related
error is java related

Your code has the following problems:
Firstly, you have declared and initialized your strConverted variable (in which you store your result) inside your while loop. Hence whenever the loop repeats, it creates a new string strConverted with a value "". Hence your answer will never be correct.
Secondly, the StringBuffer buff never changes the string strConverted. You have to change your string by actually calling it.
You print your result inside your while loop which prints your step-by-step result after every repetition. You must change the value of strConverted within the loop, nut the end result has to be printed outside it.

Need help Spotting A logic error in my program (prime numbers) / understanding output

New to programming.
Before you comment: I understand that their are more efficient ways to do this, and already have. I just feel that understanding the process here will make me a better programmer.
Following pseudo code I saw in class. I wrote a program that takes a integer and prints every prime number up to and including the integer(userinput).
This is what I came up with:
//Import Scanner.
import java.util.Scanner;
//Create class.
public class QuestionTwoA2
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
System.out.println("Enter an integer:"); //Ask for user input.
int userInteger; //Create scanner object and collect user input.
Scanner keyboard = new Scanner(System.in);
userInteger = keyboard.nextInt();
boolean primeFlag = true; //Condition required for prime number loop.
int outer; //I localised these variables outside the loop so that I
int inner; //could test output by printing it.
//Checks natural numbers in between 2 and userInteger.
for (outer = 2; outer < userInteger; outer++)
{
for (inner = 2; inner < outer; inner++)
{
if (outer % inner == 0)
{
primeFlag = false;
//System.out.println(outer + " " + inner);
break;
}
}
if (primeFlag) //I think this statement causes a logic problem.
System.out.println(outer);
}
}
}
I have/had print statements in various parts of my code just to visualise what values I am comparing to get a remainder. My current output is (for any integer input):
Enter an integer:
9
2
3
Logically my code looks fine but obviously doesn't work, help explaining what is actually going on would be much appreciated.

You should put "boolean primeFlag = true;" inside the first for and before the second for.
Since second for is for detecting whether the "outer" variable is a prime number or not, so before going into that you should set your flag true which is your assumption at first, and in second loop when you are checking all smaller values to see whether it is actually prime or not and change the flag if not.

Calculate Dice Roll from Text Field

QUESTION:
How can I read the string "d6+2-d4" so that each d# will randomly generate a number within the parameter of the dice roll?
CLARIFIER:
I want to read a string and have it so when a d# appears, it will randomly generate a number such as to simulate a dice roll. Then, add up all the rolls and numbers to get a total. Much like how Roll20 does with their /roll command for an example. If !clarifying {lstThen.add("look at the Roll20 and play with the /roll command to understand it")} else if !understandStill {lstThen.add("I do not know what to say, someone else could try explaining it better...")}
Info:
I was making a Java program for Dungeons and Dragons, only to find that I have come across a problem in figuring out how to calculate the user input: I do not know how to evaluate a string such as this.
I theorize that I may need Java's eval at the end. I do know what I want to happen/have a theory on how to execute (this is more so PseudoCode than Java):
Random rand = new Random();
int i = 0;
String toEval;
String char;
String roll = txtField.getText();
while (i<roll.length) {
check if character at i position is a d, then highlight the numbers
after d until it comes to a special character/!aNumber
// so if d was found before 100, it will then highlight 100 and stop
// if the character is a symbol or the end of the string
if d appears {
char = rand.nextInt(#);
i + #'s of places;
// so when i++ occurs, it will move past whatever d# was in case
// d# was something like d100, d12, or d5291
} else {
char = roll.length[i];
}
toEval = toEval + char;
i++;
}
perform evaluation method on toEval to get a resulting number
list.add(roll + " = " + evaluated toEval);
EDIT:
With weston's help, I have honed in on what is likely needed, using a splitter with an array, it can detect certain symbols and add it into a list. However, it is my fault for not clarifying on what else was needed. The pseudocode above doesn't helpfully so this is what else I need to figure out.
roll.split("(+-/*^)");
As this part is what is also tripping me up. Should I make splits where there are numbers too? So an equation like:
String[] numbers = roll.split("(+-/*^)");
String[] symbols = roll.split("1234567890d")
// Rough idea for long way
loop statement {
loop to check for parentheses {
set operation to be done first
}
if symbol {
loop for symbol check {
perform operations
}}} // ending this since it looks like a bad way to do it...
// Better idea, originally thought up today (5/11/15)
int val[];
int re = 1;
loop {
if (list[i].containsIgnoreCase(d)) {
val[]=list[i].splitIgnoreCase("d");
list[i] = 0;
while (re <= val[0]) {
list[i] = list[i] + (rand.nextInt(val[1]) + 1);
re++;
}
}
}
// then create a string out of list[]/numbers[] and put together with
// symbols[] and use Java's evaluator for the String
wenton had it, it just seemed like it wasn't doing it for me (until I realised I wasn't specific on what I wanted) so basically to update, the string I want evaluated is (I know it's a little unorthodox, but it's to make a point; I also hope this clarifies even further of what is needed to make it work):
(3d12^d2-2)+d4(2*d4/d2)
From reading this, you may see the spots that I do not know how to perform very well... But that is why I am asking all you lovely, smart programmers out there! I hope I asked this clearly enough and thank you for your time :3

The trick with any programming problem is to break it up and write a method for each part, so below I have a method for rolling one dice, which is called by the one for rolling many.
private Random rand = new Random();
/**
* #param roll can be a multipart roll which is run and added up. e.g. d6+2-d4
*/
public int multiPartRoll(String roll) {
String[] parts = roll.split("(?=[+-])"); //split by +-, keeping them
int total = 0;
for (String partOfRoll : parts) { //roll each dice specified
total += singleRoll(partOfRoll);
}
return total;
}
/**
* #param roll can be fixed value, examples -1, +2, 15 or a dice to roll
* d6, +d20 -d100
*/
public int singleRoll(String roll) {
int di = roll.indexOf('d');
if (di == -1) //case where has no 'd'
return Integer.parseInt(roll);
int diceSize = Integer.parseInt(roll.substring(di + 1)); //value of string after 'd'
int result = rand.nextInt(diceSize) + 1; //roll the dice
if (roll.startsWith("-")) //negate if nessasary
result = -result;
return result;
}