How to ask user String input until user is done?

Question

Scanner scan = new Scanner(System.in);
        System.out.println("Enter the names of each song in the DJ's playlist: ");
        System.out.println("When finished, enter done.");
        ArrayList <String> NamesOfSongs = new ArrayList<>();
        boolean loop = true;
        while(loop)
        {
            String input = scan.nextLine();
            if (input.equals("done"))
            {
                break;
            }
            else
            {

                NamesOfSongs.add(scan.nextLine());
            }
        }
        System.out.println(NamesOfSongs);
        }

Input strings need to be added to the ArrayList until user enters "done" and the method is finished.

Results in: (after I enter 3 strings and done TWICE)

Enter the names of each song in the DJ's playlist:
When finished, enter done.
jjjj
kkkkk
iiii
done
done
[kkkkk, done]

I don't need to compare strings. I need to add name of songs into an ArrayList that are input by user until he/she is done entering. I don't know how to format my while loop such way. — Kristina Mortimer, Jan 26 '20 at 20:08
Yes you do, otherwise you wouldn't have done this: `if (input!="done")`, which is wrong and is the reason I gave you that link. — Federico klez Culloca, Jan 26 '20 at 20:12
@KristinaMortimer You seem to have everything correct except for how you compare the input with the `"done"`-string. You need to use the `equals` method. — marstran, Jan 26 '20 at 20:12
Use `if(!input.equals("done")) { }` to compare String, because `!=` not matches — Adri, Jan 26 '20 at 20:13
Also, the way you edited your question doesn't even compile (`String` has no `next()` method) — Federico klez Culloca, Jan 26 '20 at 20:14
You use `NamesOfSongs.add(scan.nextLine());` in the else => so you enter a new value => use `NamesOfSongs.add(input)` — Adri, Jan 26 '20 at 20:22

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 26 '20 at 20:31

To compare String, you have to use equals method. For exemple input.equals("done"). This method returns true if the String"s" are equals.

In the else code, you must not use NamesOfSongs.add(scan.nextLine()); because you ask the user to enter a new value. You want to retrieve the value already entered So, use NamesOfSongs.add(input);

And, to display the contents of the ArraysList you can use a loop 'for'

    /* Print the song*/
    for(int i = 0; i < NamesOfSongs.size(); i++) {
        System.out.println(NamesOfSongs.get(i));
    }

    Scanner scan = new Scanner(System.in);
    System.out.println("Enter the names of each song in the DJ's playlist: ");
    System.out.println("When finished, enter done.");
    ArrayList <String> NamesOfSongs = new ArrayList<>();
    boolean loop = true;

    while(loop) {
        String input = scan.nextLine();
        if(input.equals("done")) {
            /* Stop the input => stop while loop*/
            loop = false; 
        } else {
            /* add song */
            NamesOfSongs.add(input);
        }
    }

    /* Print the song*/
    for(int i = 0; i < NamesOfSongs.size(); i++) {
        System.out.println(NamesOfSongs.get(i));
    }
}

How to ask user String input until user is done?

1 Answers1