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Thread: Illegal start of expression

  1. #1
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    Default Illegal start of expression

    trying to take char input and display whether a vowel

    i get error saying that enum has illegal start of expression and that it must not be local

    boolean.java:6: illegal start of expression
    public enum vowels
    ^

    boolean.java:6:enum types must not be local
    public enum vowels
    ^

    im really new and i dont know what ive done

    public class Boolean {
     
    	public static void main (String[] args) {
     
    		public enum vowels {
    		A('a'),E('e'),I('i'),O('o'),U('u');
    		}
    		char letterinput;
    	        boolean isVowel;
    		System.out.print("Enter a letter: ");
    		int c = System.in.read();
    		letterinput = (char)c;
    		while(System.in.available() > 0) { 
    		System.in.read(); 
    		}
    		if (letterinput == vowels) {
    		isVowel = true;
    		System.out.println(letterinput + "is a vowel");
    		} else {
    		isVowel = false;
    		System.out.println(letterinput + "is not a vowel");
    		}
    	}
    }


  2. #2
    Super Moderator Norm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Illegal start of expression

    i get error
    Please copy the full text of the error messages and post them here.

    Try moving the enum outside of the method.
    Also see the tutorial: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutori...vaOO/enum.html

    BTW Boolean is the name of a java SE class. It'd be less confusing if you used your own name for your class.
    If you don't understand my answer, don't ignore it, ask a question.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Illegal start of expression

    I have seen the tutorial and I`m pretty sure I have copied the syntax to the letter unless you actually have to have each constant on a new line, also upon moving the enum outside the method the compiler then fails to recognise the vowels identifier

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Norm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Illegal start of expression

    Your usage of vowels needs some more stuff: add on one of the enum names like A: vowels.A

    Post the full text of any error messages. I don't remember "fails to recognize" as a compiler error.
    If you don't understand my answer, don't ignore it, ask a question.

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