comparing integer type with null.

[aatwo]

I am looping through an integer array to check to see if it is empty or not but it won't let me compare the arrays values with the term null.

So what do I do instead?

[shyam]

primitive types cannot be null only object references can be compared with null

[david_kw]

If I recall correctly all int variables are set to zero on declaration. So

int arr[] = new int[5];

is the same as writing

int a[] = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 };

So if 0 is a valid value in your integer array you will probably need to assign it to something else (maybe -1).

david_kw

[aatwo]

that really sucks. All real numbers are valid for me :S Guess I will have to implement something myself.

Thanks.

[Aradon]

You could do one of two things.

You could use something like the maximum number for an integer or you could create a new class that holds an integer and use that instead. That way you can check for a null reference.

[ZJRT]

If you absolutely have to be able to compare to null as opposed to zero, just use the Integer wrapper class.

Integer[] intArray = new Integer[5];

intArray[0] through intArray[4] will initialize as null instead of 0, since it's an object instead of a primitive. It'll eat more memory, but you'll gain the ability to use your null comparison.

[daniel_g]

Does it have to be an array of integers? You could create an array of Strings instead, and use a letter instead of null:

public static void main(String[] args){
         String[] number = new String[5];
         
         //give initial values to array:
         for(int i=0; i<5; i++){
            number[i] = "e";
         }
         //add whatever numbers you want, in the form of a string:
         number[0]="2";
         number[2]="3";
         
         //then do testing loop:
         for(int j=0; j<5; j++){
            if(number[j].equals("e")){
               System.out.println("null");
            }
            else
               System.out.println(number[j]);
         }
      }

/*
 * Output:
 * 2
 * null
 * 3
 * null
 * null
 */

And of course, when you need to use a number for whatever operation, just parse it to integer.
Also, you would have to take care of invalid inputs.

[svisweswaran]

Originally Posted by ZJRT

If you absolutely have to be able to compare to null as opposed to zero, just use the Integer wrapper class.

Integer[] intArray = new Integer[5];

intArray[0] through intArray[4] will initialize as null instead of 0, since it's an object instead of a primitive. It'll eat more memory, but you'll gain the ability to use your null comparison.

Hi ZJRT!

it is a wonderful solution that i was literally searching out for !

Hats off to your trick, ZJRT!!