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Java Java Objects (Retired) Creating the MVP Strings and Chars

Peter Taylor
PLUS
Peter Taylor
Courses Plus Student 4,275 Points
Posted by Peter Taylor
Peter Taylor
Courses Plus Student 4,275 Points

Why won't the if statement allow boolean conversion

Error from compiler says 'if' statement below can't convert to boolean. Any ideas on why that is?

I can't seem to replicate the code from the video correctly. No matter what I do it throws up that I this boolean conversion error.

ScrabblePlayer.java 
public class ScrabblePlayer {
    private String mHand;
  private boolean mH;

    public ScrabblePlayer() {
        mHand = "";
    }

    public String getHand() {
       return mHand;
    }

    public void addTile(char tile) {
        // Adds the tile to the hand of the player
      mHand += tile;  //Concatenate tile to mHand (keeps track of tiles in hand)
    }

    public boolean hasTile(char tile) {

      if(mHand.indexOf(tile){
        return true;
      }
      else{
        return false;
      } 
    }
}

1 Answer

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points
Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

The indexOf function returns a index (integer), not if the item is in the array (boolean).

However, here's one trick: the indexOf function returns -1 if the item is not in the array.

So, to fix your hasTile function, you could do this:

public boolean hasTile(char tile) {
    if (mHand.indexOf(tile) > -1) {
        return true;
    } else {
        return false;
    }
}

I hope you understand.

Good luck! ~Alex

If you got any questions, please ask below :)

Jason Anello
Jason Anello
Courses Plus Student 94,610 Points

Did you try this in the challenge? Because it doesn't pass.

You have the right idea but what happens if the tile is found at index 0?

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

Whoops XD

Wasn't thinking.

I was busy on a different thing, also, so I didn't check.

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

I fixed it.