Java Class/Main Help (homework)

Hey =)

I've got a Java assignment for school... I'm not asking for you to do the code for me ;)

Here is the problem:
"Design and implement a class called 'Sphere' that contains instance data that represents the sphere's diameter. Define the 'sphere constructor' to accept and initialize the diameter, and include getter and setter methods for the diameter. Include methods that calculate and return the volume and surface area of the sphere. Included a 'toString' method that returns a one-line description of the sphere. Create a driver class called 'Multisphere', whose 'main' method instantiates and updates several Sphere objects"

Apparently there are two files that are required.. I've got the Sphere.java file down.. I think. But what I am unsure about is what needs to be in the other file.. and in the 'main' method. Am I just supposed to make up values? I'm not really sure what I am doing. haha. I think I know how to create a driver class inside that file.. maybe.. but I don't know what it needs to do.
Should I just like.. create 3 spheres and then assign them random diameters?

Here is the code that I have for the Sphere.java file.

public class Sphere {

public double diameter;

public Sphere(){
this.diameter = 0;}

public void setDiameter(double d){
this.diameter = d;}

public double getDiameter(){
return diameter;}

public String toString(){
System.out.println("The diameter of the Sphere is: ");
String result = Double.toString(diameter);
return result;}

public double volume(double v, double vr, double r){
r = ( diameter / 2 );
vr = ( r * r * r );
v = ( 4 / 3 ) * (Math.PI * vr);
return v;}

public double surface(double sa, double r, double sr){
r = ( diameter / 2);
sr = ( r * r );
sa = ( 4 ) * (Math.PI * sr);
return sa;
}

}

It compiles.. but I'm not sure if it's right.

Again, I'm not asking for answers; I just need a little push in the right direction, because I am stuck =/

A few things first,

Your volume and surface methods probably do not need to take any parameters, as they are using the diameter for the same class, which is stored as an instance variable. The methods look fine, I would just remove the parameters and declare the local variables inside the method, that way it uses the existing diameter already stored in the object. For example:


public double surface(){
double r = ( diameter / 2);
double sr = ( r * r );
double sa = ( 4 ) * (Math.PI * sr);
return sa;
}


For the driver class, you will need to create instances of your sphere object, here is an example:


MyObject obj = new MyObject(parameter1, parameter2, parameter3 etc...);
obj.setData(5);
int data = obj.getData();
This is just a general example, but it creates an object from a class called MyObject(would be stored in MyObject.java), and it calls the reference to this object, obj. Next, I call a set method, to pass in and set some data in the object, then I use a get method to get that piece of data from the object. You already have the object class almost ready to go, so all you will need to do is create a main method to hold the logic for creating multiple instances of your Sphere object.

Thanks for the help brad!!

I've fixed up what you've suggested.. yet I am still a bit stuck. =(

This is the code I have now..


Sphere.java
public class Sphere {

public double diameter;
double r;
double sr;
double vr;

public Sphere(){
this.diameter = 0;}

public void setDiameter(double d){
this.diameter = d;}

public double getDiameter(){
return diameter;}

public String toString(){
System.out.println("The diameter of the Sphere is: ");
String result = Double.toString(diameter);
return result;}

public double volume(){
r = ( diameter / 2 );
vr = ( r * r * r );
double v = ( 4 / 3 ) * (Math.PI * vr);
return v;}

public double surface(){
r = ( diameter / 2);
sr = ( r * r );
double sa = ( 4 ) * (Math.PI * sr);
return sa;
}


}



GoSphere.java
public class GoSphere{

public static void main(String[] args){

Sphere s1 = new Sphere();

Sphere s2 = new Sphere();

s1.setDiameter(5);
double d1 = s1.getDiameter();

s2.setDiameter(8);
double d2 = s2.getDiameter();

System.out.println ("Diamater of s1: " + d1 + ", Diameter of s2: " + d2);

//s1.volume();
//s2.volume();

//s1.surface();
//s2.surface();



}
}




I get an error (total of 4) that says "cannot find symbol for 'Sphere'" in both of the object creation lines. I think with "s1.volume();" that I am calculating the volume.. right? But the instructions don't say to print it. I'm sooo lost. haha

I think it'd be a bit easier if I understood what this thing is supposed to do. haha. It says all it needs to do is print the diameter of a sphere.. but it just has to have all this other junk that doesn't do anything =(

The "other junk" is important. Placing these types of methods in your Sphere class is important to object oriented programming, as these are core properties that would represent any Sphere object. Even if you are not using them in your testing class, some other time that you would use a Sphere object, you may want to use these methods to obtain the surface area and volume. It all depends on the context in which the object is used. To answer your questions, you are calculating the volume with the statement s1.volume(); but typically you would want to store that in a variable with a statement like: double s1Volume = s1.volume();

On another note, these files compile and run fine for me, even after being modified to print the volume and surface area. Make sure they are both in the same directory, otherwise you will need to specify an import statement to access your Sphere class from your GoSphere class.

Okay, thanks!

I think I understand why the methods are there now.

My friend says that it compiles on his computer, too. Kinda weird.. mine are in the same file and I'm doing everything right, but I still keep getting that error. But I guess since it works for the both of you I can turn it in =D

I'm starting the second problem now.. I can only assume that I'll have problems there, as well. haha

Thanks for the help =D

Define the 'sphere constructor' to accept and initialize the diameter

Looks like you may have forgotten one little detail. :)