Arrays.fill() only allowed in method?

Question

I'm using a book to self-study Java. One of my exercises needs an array with boolean values. When I try to use Arrays.fill(myArray, false) as indicated below I get a compiler errors. Plus the IDE complains.

...\ArrayFill.java:6: <identifier> expected
...\ArrayFill.java:6: <identifier> expected
...\ArrayFill.java:6: illegal start of type

Here's the code:

import java.util.Arrays;

public class ArrayFill {

boolean[] myArray = new boolean[4];   // Declaration OK.
Arrays.fill( myArray, false);         // Not OK.

//    boolean[] myArray = {false, false, false, false }; // Manually OK.

public void makeReservation(){
    Arrays.fill(myArray, false);      // In a method, OK.
}

}

It seems like it has something to do with the fact that Arrays.fill is a static method but I can't find the answer why. Am I close?

It has nothing whatsoever to do with Arrays.fill specifically. — Karthik T
– Karthik T, Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 1:42

SLaks · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-11 01:41:43Z

9

You cannot run arbitrary statements outside a method body.

You need to put your code in a constructor, initializer block, or main method.

answered Jan 11, 2013 at 1:41

SLaks

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Comments

Code-Apprentice · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-11 01:54:07Z

2

The only code that can be directly inside a class is declarations and static initializers. Note that Arrays.fill(myArray, false); is neither of these, so it must be inside another block of code, specifically a constructor, method, or static initializer.

answered Jan 11, 2013 at 1:54

Code-Apprentice

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1 Comment

Gary Over a year ago

Thank-you. Odd to me that I've never run into before but you are right.

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