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Java Java Objects (Retired) Delivering the MVP Wrapping up

Did you add a constructor that takes a String?

I am almost certain I did exactly what the task asks. Any ideas as to why I am getting the error "Did you add a constructor that takes a String?"

public class Forum {
  private String mTopic;

  public String getTopic() {
      return mTopic;
  }
  public String theTopic(String topic){
    return mTopic = topic;
  }
  public void addPost(ForumPost post) {
      /* When all is ready uncomment this...
      System.out.printf("New post from %s %s about %s.\n",
                         post.getAuthor().getFirstName(),
                         post.getAuthor().getLastName(),
                         post.getTitle());
      */
  }
}
Seth Kroger
Seth Kroger
56,413 Points

Can you post your code?

I just did. Sorry about that! Thanks for the quick response.

public class Forum {
  private String mTopic;

  public String getTopic() {
      return mTopic;
  }
  public String theTopic(String topic){
    return mTopic = topic;
  }
  public void addPost(ForumPost post) {
      /* When all is ready uncomment this...
      System.out.printf("New post from %s %s about %s.\n",
                         post.getAuthor().getFirstName(),
                         post.getAuthor().getLastName(),
                         post.getTitle());
      */
  }
}

2 Answers

Chase Marchione
Chase Marchione
155,055 Points

Hi Emanuel,

  • You'll want the constructor to have the same name as the class (instead of 'theTopic'.)

  • Since you're setting the value of the variable, rather than returning a value, you don't need the return keyword.

public Forum(String topic) {
    mTopic = topic;
  }

Hope this helps!

Thanks! Although that works, I am a bit unsettled because I don't understand why your code works as opposed to mine. I've really been struggling to fully grasp all this. Would you happen to know of other resources that may help me fully understand the functionality/purpose/scope of class, methods, constructors and the like?

josue exhume
josue exhume
20,981 Points

CJ Marchione is right, i just want to point out, one common practice trend is to setup a getter and setter method.

public class Forum {
  private String mTopic;

  public String getTopic() { // this is our getter , ie "get"topic
      return mTopic;
  }

  public void setTopic(String mTopic){ // this is our setter, ie "set"topic
    this.mTopic = mTopic;
  }

  public Forum (String topic) { // this is our constructor
    setTopic(topic);
  }
  public void addPost(ForumPost post) {
      /* When all is ready uncomment this...
      System.out.printf("New post from %s %s about %s.\n",
                         post.getAuthor().getFirstName(),
                         post.getAuthor().getLastName(),
                         post.getTitle());
      */
  }
}