How to create variable across entire java class?

Question

I have a method that asks for the user's name, then returns it. Now I want to access the user's name in another method, but when I print the user's name it says "null". I don't understand, I defined the variable, but how can I give it access across the entire class?

public static String userName() {
        Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);

        System.out.print("Hello! Welcome to The Game. Whats your name? ");
        String userName = input.next();

        return userName;
}

This is the method where I try to access the userName variable but am given "null"

public static void homeMethod() {
        Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);

        System.out.println("Hello " + userName + "! What would you like to do? (Type LIST for options)");
        String userGameChoice = input.nextLine();
}

Calling the userName() method inside the homeMethod() i am given the same error.

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks! I already had it there but realized I created a new variable in the userName() method, so I had two userName variables. — Logan Place
– Logan Place, Commented Jul 25, 2018 at 21:30

Logan Place · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-25 23:12:10Z

I needed to create userName variable outside of the method.

This is what I had:

public class MainGameClass {
    public static String userName;

    public static String userName() {
    Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);

    System.out.print("Hello! Welcome to The Game. Whats your name? ");
    String userName = input.next();

    return userName;
    }

    public static void homeMethod() {
    Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);

    System.out.println("What would you like to do " + userName + "? (Type LIST for options)");
    String userGameChoice = input.nextLine();
    }
}

Output when calling homeMethod():

What would you like to do null? (Type LIST for options)

Solution:

public class MainGameClass {
    public static String userName;

    public static String userName() {
    Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);

    System.out.print("Hello! Welcome to The Game. Whats your name? ");
    String userName = input.next();

    return userName;
    }

    public static void homeMethod() {
    Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);

    System.out.println("What would you like to do " + userName + "? (Type LIST for options)");
    userGameChoice = input.nextLine();
    }
}

Output when calling homeMethod():

What would you like to do (userName)? (Type LIST for options)

Explanation:

I correctly defined the userName variable in the class, however, in the userName() method, I created a new variable under the same name. Therefore not returning the answer to the userName variable.

this answer would be better if you have provided some code to explain it

Ivan Dimitrov · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-25 22:59:38Z

0

Either declare userName variable outside the method, in the class itself or call userName method in your homeMethod like this:

public static void homeMethod() {
    Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);
    System.out.println("Hello " + userName() + "! What would you like to do? (Type LIST for options)");
    String userGameChoice = input.nextLine();

}

answered Jul 25, 2018 at 22:59

Ivan Dimitrov

536 bronze badges

Comments

TruVortex_07 · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-26 11:46:38Z

0

You have to put userName out of the method like this:

System.out.print("Hello! Welcome to The Game. Whats your name? ");
String userName = input.next()

public static String userName() {
    Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);
    return userName;
}

answered Jul 26, 2018 at 11:46

TruVortex_07

2801 gold badge3 silver badges16 bronze badges

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