Question

I have developed the following for loop to set the data in a drop down list. This works perfectly if I use a number on the .get() method to select and compare which item has been clicked, but obviously this is useless with a set integer value.

I’m getting the error that the ‘a’ variable cannot be resolved to a variable.

I’m really not sure why though?

Here’s the code:

List<String> list = new ArrayList<String>();
list.add("-");
list.add("Medical");
list.add("Business");
list.add("Family");
list.add("Other");
ArrayAdapter<String> dataAdapter = new ArrayAdapter<String>(this, android.R.layout.simple_spinner_item, list);
dataAdapter.setDropDownViewResource(android.R.layout.simple_spinner_dropdown_item);
editTime.setAdapter(dataAdapter);

for(int a = 0; a < list.size(); a ++);
{
    // Error on the 'a' variable - cannot be resolved to a variable.    
    if(typeReturned == list.get(a));
    {
        // Error on the 'a' variable - cannot be resolved to a variable.
        editTime.setSelection(a);

    }
}

Answer 1

You have an unnecessary semicolon after your for loop:

for(int a = 0; a < list.size(); a ++);

If you don’t delete it, it is the same as writing:

for(int a = 0; a < list.size(); a ++) { }
// a isn't in scope here any more.

You have the same mistake after your if condition. You have to get rid of that semicolon, too.

Also, I think typeReturned is a String, and you are comparing it with ==. That is a bad idea. You have to use .equals(), if you want to check if both strings have the same content, see:

How do I compare Strings in Java