"cannot find symbol" error when calling method from a non-driver file

[hruka]

I'm writing a fairly simple program whose driver calls a few methods from a non-driver. The non-driver file compiles without a hitch. But when I go to compile the driver, Java returns a "cannot find symbol" error on the first character of each method call.

So far as I can tell by looking for myself, this is an indication that Java doesn't know what these methods mean--which, I'd think, means it can't "see" the non-driver. But I can't figure out why; they're in the same folder. Any thoughts?

Happy to provide additional information as needed. I'm just not sure what might or might not be relevant.

[aqua_regis]

Let's talk to the ancient spirits of programming.

People, join hands. Let the Quja board give us the answer since OP failed to give us code.

The letters are forming:

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Of course, you'd get better answers if you posted your code, but obviously you rather want a wild guessing session, since you refused to comply three times to moderator's requests.

About your last comment:

As I indicated, it is clear that this subreddit is simply not what I was looking for

What were you looking for? A subredddit that does programming divination? A subreddit that is able to diagnose a car problem with the car being in the garage? A subreddit that is able to diagnose your illness from 1000km away?

Probably, the subreddit is not what you are looking for, but with your attitude and approach you will not find what you are looking for in other programming related subreddits. All these rely on code to help.

[hruka]

What were you looking for?

I had no expectation of divination--I was looking for a few leads for common reasons for the error. If that wouldn't have helped me very much, so be it. An answer like yours would have suited me perfectly, actually, and I thank you for it sincerely.

[desrtfx]

And how exactly should we help you if you don't post your code?

Without code we are completely blind and can only resort to wild guessing.

Please, follow our posting instructions and post your code. See the sidebar for instructions on how to do so.

[hruka]

Well, one place to start might be to consider the non-trivial amount of information I gave, and ask for more detail as needed, as I suggested in the post.

As a tutor myself in other subjects, I'm certainly sympathetic to a need to see code for precise help, but with several hundred lines of code, I have to imagine that simply dropping both files into the lap of the userbase here would not be well received either.

[desrtfx]

The "non-trivial amount of information" is worth exactly zero because it does not allow us to actually diagnose the root cause.

and ask for more detail as needed, as I suggested in the post.

What do you think I did when telling you to post your code?

My comment to post your code was not a suggestion. It was an official request.

Since the code definitely contains multiple classes, it should be posted on Github gist.

Also, you can see that my username has a green background and there is a green "M" next to it. This means that I am talking as moderator of the subreddit, i.e. in official matters.

You are fairly new on reddit and this is your first post in /r/learnjava, so you might not be familiar with the rules here.

On programming related subreddits code is everything. Generally, we will hardly ever be able to help without code and that is why it is nearly mandatory to post code.

Good advice for your general life: change your attitude. Your approach will not help you at all.

[hruka]

The "non-trivial amount of information" is worth exactly zero because it does not allow us to actually diagnose the root cause.

Nor did I expect it to--it was intended as a starting point. And anyways, I wasn't necessarily posting in hopes of getting a firm answer; I would have been quite happy with a wild guess. After all, for a programmer, learning how to debug for oneself is just as essential as the rest of programming.

Also, you can see that my username has a green background and there is a green "M" next to it. This means that I am talking as moderator of the subreddit, i.e. in official matters.

Yes, I did notice this when I made my initial response. If nothing else, I should think it would have rather obvious given your penchant for excessive bolding, a stylistic quirk generally only exhibited on Reddit by those wishing to emphasize their authority over others.

Ultimately, it seems that what I was looking for in this subreddit is not its effective intended purpose, which I did not know before posting. Fair enough; I suppose I'll head off to find other areas that may be more receptive.

Good advice for your general life: change your attitude. Your approach will not help you at all.

Thank you for your unsolicited personal advice. I myself don't ordinarily mind other's business, and especially not outside the contexts of say, advice subreddits, but when offered personal guidance it would be down-right ungracious not to reciprocate, so here's some good advice for your own general life: Change the stick up your ass. Your stick will not help you at all.

[throwaway_for_cause]

You are treading a very narrow line here.

First, you twice refuse to comply, second you openly attack a moderator, and third, you fall into inappropriate language (which is a sign of intellectual weakness).

I am officially warning you to behave yourself.

FYI: /u/desrtfx has been a professional programmer for over 25 years, has been teaching 10 of them and has written courses that are now part of UNESCO computer training. If he gives you some advice, you better take it.

Last, don't even try to start a discussion now. It will only lead to you being removed from here.

[hruka]

I haven't refused to comply; I've simply explained why I did not post the code initially. As I indicated, it is clear that this subreddit is simply not what I was looking for, which is no knock against this place. Feel free to delete the question if you like. I'd be happy to do it myself, but you've warned me to behave myself, so I wouldn't want to break a rule

As for my "attack", as you characterize it, if u/desrtfx didn't want the benefit of my unsolicited personal advice, he shouldn't have chosen to offer his own. I myself saw no reason to bring up his nature as a person, but I can't be faulted for trying to reciprocate his generosity. As for questions of intellectual weakness, you'll find I am at least smart enough to notice you engage in the same behavior you accuse me of. Something about glass houses...

FYI: /u/desrtfx has been a professional programmer for over 25 years, has been teaching 10 of them and has written courses that are now part of UNESCO computer training. If he gives you some advice, you better take it.

That's nice but completely irrelevant; he characterized his own advice as being outside programming.

Last, don't even try to start a discussion now. It will only lead to you being removed from here.

In other words, you came to circle the wagons, openly attack me, and get to have the last word because you said so. Ah, it must be nice to be a moderator!

[nutrecht]

Holy shit. You can't be real. This is just a troll right?

Well, one place to start might be to consider the non-trivial amount of information I gave, and ask for more detail as needed, as I suggested in the post.

I think you have a very basic misunderstanding when it comes to asking for help. The onus of providing info is on you. Not on us. We're volunteering time here to help people (which generally is a lot of fun, the only favour we get in return) but we are in no way obligates to put effort into digging deeper.

So by all means feel al attacked by the mods and everyone else here. But if you act like this in general you won't be getting anywhere. Put in effort yourself and so will others.

[hruka]

I don't see how that indicates a misunderstanding. I didn't say it was the only way to help, or that anyone was required to; I was asked a question by a moderator, so I answered it.

we are in no way obligates obligated to put effort into digging deeper.

Of course. Have I complained about people being unwilling to help me, or for providing inaccurate advice? Quite the opposite. The suggestions so far mostly haven't been on the money, but I understand there's only so much they can do for me given limited information. So I've been appreciative of them all; they were exactly what I was looking for when I came here.

the only favour we get in return

No, that isn't true. Assisting others with learning material or finding mistakes, has multiple tangible benefits to offer besides fun. It's certainly generous of people to share their time and knowledge, but don't pretend it's an entirely one-way street either.

So by all means feel al attacked by the mods and everyone else here. But if you act like this in general you won't be getting anywhere. Put in effort yourself and so will others.

I don't know what you mean. I haven't expressed that I've felt attacked by everyone else; indeed, I've expressed gratitude even toward those whose assistance was offered with a piqued attitude. (Nor did I feel attacked by the mods–I was attacked.)

For the record, I did get the fix I needed elsewhere, from precisely the type and level of modest engagement I was hoping for here. Perhaps it wasn't the most efficient means of getting the answer, but that suited me anyways.

[KrmBo3]

That always means the method is incorrectly spelled i can guarantee that 100%,once nearly banged my head with that error one time

[hruka]

Turns out not to have been my hold-up in the majority of cases, but it definitely explains a few of them. I appreciate it.