When I return an array, I'm getting a "cannot find symbol" error even though I have declared the array

Question

public static int [] tallyResults (String number, String guess)
{
    int bulls = 0;
    int cows = 0;
    for (int i=0;i<number.length();i++)
    {
        if (number.charAt(i)==guess.charAt(i))
        {
            bulls = bulls + 1;
        }
        else if (contains(number, guess.charAt(i)))
        {
            cows = cows + 1;
        }
        else
        {
            continue;
        }
    cows = cows - bulls;
    int [] count = {bulls, cows};
 }
 return count;

}

This is a function I'm creating that's part of a larger problem for my CS class. I need to return the array that I declared. However, when I attempt to compile, I get an error:

BullsAndCows.java:94: error: cannot find symbol
         return count;
                ^
  symbol:   variable count
  location: class BullsAndCows

I've messed around with it for a bit and looked online for answers, but nothing seems to do the trick.

The scope of the variable count is only within the "for" block. You are getting an error because you are using that variable outside the block. — Superchamp, Feb 05 '22 at 01:55

Eddie Deng · Answer 1 · 2022-02-05T09:23:27.693

The count array is defined inside your for loop and thus it cannot be used outside of it.

Try to modify your code as

public static int [] tallyResults (String number, String guess)
{
    int bulls = 0;
    int cows = 0;
    for (int i=0;i<number.length();i++)
    {
        if (number.charAt(i)==guess.charAt(i))
        {
            bulls = bulls + 1;
        }
        else if (contains(number, guess.charAt(i)))
        {
            cows = cows + 1;
        }
        else
        {
            continue;
        }
        cows = cows - bulls;
    }
    return new int[]{bulls, cows}; //count
}

If I correctly understand the logic of your code.

When I return an array, I'm getting a "cannot find symbol" error even though I have declared the array

1 Answers1