Help with ArrayList Features

[blobby404]

Iv created an array list which contains people and attributes such as user id, username etc. It works fine for the most part. It allows the user to enter a name into the system. If the name entered matches a name stored in the array list then it will display that user, its id, name and password. I need to implement a password strength checker; but i am struggling.

First off; i need a method that will determine how strong a password is. I then need to find a means of how to output the result of this, outputting it alongside the other outputted attributes: id, name and password.

I have of course attempted this, however being fairly new to Java my attempt did not go too well. I understand basic programming concepts; however when it comes to implementing ideas with code and syntax; my ideas fall flat.

Here is what i have attempted so far, but to be honest its probably completely different to the exact strength check and way that i want the result to be displayed. Iv shown my code below. But please, anybody; im asking if you could offer me the solution that i am looking for. I know that the code below is a good start, but its not close to implementing the code in a way that the password strength result can be outputted in the arraylist after a search for a user and their password is made.

private int checkPasswordStrength2(String passw) 
    {
                int strengthCount=0;
        String[] partialRegexChecks = { ".*[a-z]+.*", // lower
                                        ".*[A-Z]+.*", // upper
                                        ".*[\\d]+.*", // digits
                                        ".*[@#$%]+.*" // symbols
        };
                    if (passw.matches(partialRegexChecks[0])) {
                    strengthCount+=1;
            }
                    if (passw.matches(partialRegexChecks[1])) {
                    strengthCount+=1;
            }
                    if (passw.matches(partialRegexChecks[2])) {
                    strengthCount+=1;
            }
                    if (passw.matches(partialRegexChecks[3])) {
                    strengthCount+=1;
            }
 
            if (strengthCount==1) {
                System.out.println("Password is weak");
            }
 
            if (strengthCount==2) {
                System.out.println("Password is meduim");
            }
 
            if (strengthCount==3) {
                System.out.println("Password is good");
            }
 
            if (strengthCount==4) {
                System.out.println("Password is very good");
            }
 
        return strengthCount;
    }

Iv been at it for hours now, and i mean hours. I just really want to get this done. Iv looked for solutions online; but they implement a password strength checker much differently to how mine needs to work from what i can tell.

[shahcat]

Your problem definition is not entirely clear as you have not stated your criteria of what is good and bad for a password apart from having 1 of each type of character is good. I would suggest before you attempt any further coding using an exploratory technique, to write out the criteria you want to use for determining the password strength.

The following is an adaption of your code to add in a second criteria. This is not a complete solution but may give you an idea of the process

import java.util.Scanner;
public class Forum {
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		Scanner ms = new Scanner(System.in);
		String myString = ms.nextLine();
 
		int strengthCount1 = checkPasswordStrength1(myString);
		int strengthCount2 = checkPasswordStrength2(myString);
 
        if (strengthCount1 + strengthCount2 < 3)
            System.out.println("Password is weak");
        else if (strengthCount1 + strengthCount2 < 5)
            System.out.println("Password is medium");
        else if (strengthCount1 + strengthCount2 < 7)
            System.out.println("Password is good");
        else
            System.out.println("Password is very good");
	}
 
	private static int checkPasswordStrength1(String passw) 
    {
        int strengthCount=0;
        String[] partialRegexChecks = { ".*[a-z]+.*", // lower
                                        ".*[A-Z]+.*", // upper
                                        ".*[\\d]+.*", // digits
                                        ".*[@#$%]+.*" // symbols
        							};
 
        for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
        	if (passw.matches(partialRegexChecks[i]))
        		strengthCount+=1;
 
        return strengthCount;
    }
 
	private static int checkPasswordStrength2(String passw) 
    {
		int strengthCount=0;
		if (passw.length() < 5)
			strengthCount = 1;
		else if (passw.length() < 8)
			strengthCount = 2;
		else 
			strengthCount = 3;
 
        return strengthCount;
    }
 
}

[GregBrannon]

@shahcat: Welcome to the forum! Please read this topic to learn how to post code in code or highlight tags and other useful info for new members.

Please post your code correctly per the above link.