How to pass a function an array literal?

Question

How do I pass a array without making it a seperate variable? For example I know this works:

class Test{
    public static void main(String[] args){
        String[] arbitraryStrings={"foo"};
        takesStringArray(arbitraryStrings);
    }
    public static void takesStringArray(String[] argument){
        System.out.println(argument);
    }
}

But I dont want to make the array a variable as it is only used here. Is there any way to do something like this:

class Test{
    public static void main(String[] args){
        takesStringArray({"foo"});
    }
    public static void takesStringArray(String[] argument){
        System.out.println(argument);
    }
}

possible duplicate of [Passing directly an array initializer to a method parameter doesn't work](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12805535/passing-directly-an-array-initializer-to-a-method-parameter-doesnt-work) — Rohit Jain, Oct 23 '13 at 05:40
Consider taking a look at Groovy: http://groovy.codehaus.org/. In Groovy, you can just define list literals anywhere you like. it's sweet! — Ian Durkan, Jan 07 '14 at 22:36

score 19 · Accepted Answer · edited Oct 23 '13 at 05:55

19

{"foo"} doens't tell Java anything about what type of array you are trying to create...

Instead, try something like...

takesStringArray(new String[] {"foo"});

edited Oct 23 '13 at 05:55

Jonny Henly

3,725
4
23
41

answered Oct 23 '13 at 05:40

MadProgrammer

323,026
21
204
329

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:31

1

You are able to create an array with new, and without A new variable

The correct syntax you are expecting is,

  takesStringArray(new String[]{"foo"});

Seems, you are just started with arrays.There are many other syntax's to declare an array.

How do I declare and initialize an array in Java?

edited May 23 '17 at 12:31

Community

1
1

answered Oct 23 '13 at 05:40

Suresh Atta

114,879
36
179
284

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 23 '13 at 05:40

0

use in-line array declaration

try

takesStringArray(new String[]{"foo"});

answered Oct 23 '13 at 05:40

upog

4,309
6
30
59

score 0 · Answer 4 · edited Oct 23 '13 at 06:00

0

class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        takesStringArray(new String[]{"foo"});
    }

    public static void takesStringArray(String[] argument) {
        System.out.println(argument);
    }
}

edited Oct 23 '13 at 06:00

Cristian Lupascu

34,894
15
87
127

answered Oct 23 '13 at 05:41

Jixi

97
1
13

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 01 '14 at 11:52

u may try VarArgs:

class Test{
    public static void main(String[] args){
        takesStringArray("foo", "bar");
    }
    public static void takesStringArray(String... argument){
        System.out.println(argument);
    }
}

score 0 · Answer 6 · edited Apr 08 '21 at 12:11

0

You can use varargs:

class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        takesStringArray("foo");
    }

    public static void takesStringArray(String... argument) {
        System.out.println(argument);
    }  
}

edited Apr 08 '21 at 12:11

Federico klez Culloca

22,898
15
55
90

answered Apr 01 '14 at 11:55

Korniltsev Anatoly

3,595
2
24
33

How to pass a function an array literal?

6 Answers6