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Java Java Basics Getting Started with Java Strings, Variables, and Formatting

Posted by Laura Mckay
Laura Mckay
599 Points

format specifier

Following what the video said, but getting error.

Also, in last tutorial the comma was throwing an error, so put a plus and it worked. This was not what was shown in the videos however. Very confusing.

Name.java 
// I have setup a java.io.Console object for you named console
  String firstName = "Laura";
  console.printf("%s Can code in java", firstName);

1 Answer

andren
andren
28,558 Points
andren
andren
28,558 Points

The code checker for these challenges can be extremely picky about the text output of your program, when they ask you to write a certain string they often expect it to match that string exactly including the same spacing and casing.

The issue with your string is that the C in can is capitalized which it should not be according to the example string they provided for you. If you write it without a capital C you will be able to pass the challenge.

As for your other complaint can you post the code that was causing an issue? It's hard to explain exactly what was wrong without seeing the code.

The + operator is used to combine two different strings but should not be necessary to use if you use printf with a string placeholder. Maybe you left out the placeholder or used some other print method like print or println by accident?

Jennifer Nordell
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher
Jennifer Nordell
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher

Just wanted to add a side note here. Andren is 100% correct about the challenges checking for spelling, capitalization, spacing, and punctuation. So on that note, I'd like to add that you also didn't capitalize the "J" in "Java" and your string is missing an exclamation point at the end (!). Hope this helps! :sparkles:

andren
andren
28,558 Points
andren
andren
28,558 Points

Ops you are correct I did miss that. Though it's worth noting that I almost always verify that the advice I give is enough to pass the task in question before posting. So while there are more issues than the one I pointed out I did verify that simply changing Can to can was enough to complete the challenge.

The code checker while picky does occasionally accept strings with some variations. It's just very inconsistent and hard to predict what it accepts and what it doesn't unless you copy the example provided exactly.

Jennifer Nordell
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher
Jennifer Nordell
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher

I have no doubt that you validated the completion of the challenge, andren. Your answers are always very on point. :thumbsup: But, as you pointed out, it's a good idea to get in the habit of making sure that strings match exactly and avoid frustration later :sparkles:

andren
andren
28,558 Points
andren
andren
28,558 Points

Indeed, we are both in agreement on that point :smile:.

Laura Mckay
Laura Mckay
599 Points

Thanks a lot to both of you! I managed to proceed on the next point. :)