Thread: Finding the lowest integer using sentinellvalue. :( I am stuck!

You should use dynamic structures in this case:

public static void main(String[] args) {
		ArrayList<Integer> inputVals = new ArrayList<>();
		Integer temp = 0;
		Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
		do {
			temp = scanner.nextInt();
			if (temp != -1)
				inputVals.add(temp);
		} while (temp != -1);
		Collections.sort(inputVals);
		if (inputVals.size() > 0)
			System.out.println(inputVals.get(0));
 
	}

Look at above. I use an arraylist. I dont know if you are familiar with it but think of an arraylist similar as an array with a type it should store(better explenation here). Then you can add as many values (of the type) as you want. So you can store three, four five and so on inputs. Integer now has the advantage that it implements the comparable-interface. The static method sort of the class-library Collections now sorts the arraylist and you only must print out the (lowest) value at position one.

Dont know how helpful the post is. If you have questions, post it. But please try to read the three links above first.

Originally Posted by StrugglerWithJava

... I want the user to enter a set of integers and then have the user enter a value to exit the program and have the lowest integer display....

I don't see anything in the problem statement that says you have to save all of the values.

So...

How about just looking at each entry as it comes in? If it's -1, then quit. If it is not -1, see whether it is smaller than the previous smallest entry.

Maybe something like:

Declare and initialize the Scanner object
 
Declare int variables num and smallest.
 
Prompt the user to enter some integers.  Tell
the user that input will be terminated when
-1 is entered.
 
Set num equal to the next int obtained from the Scanner object.
Set smallest equal to num.
 
Execute the following loop as long as num is not equal to -1:
BEGIN LOOP
    IF num is less than smallest
    THEN
        Set smallest equal to num.
    END IF
    Prompt the user for the next entry.
    Set num equal to the next int obtained from the Scanner object.
END LOOP
 
Report results to the user.

A couple of runs could look something like:

Enter some integers.  To terminate input, enter -1
 
Enter an integer : 1
Enter another integer (Enter -1 to terminate): 3000
Enter another integer (Enter -1 to terminate): -1000000
Enter another integer (Enter -1 to terminate): 55
Enter another integer (Enter -1 to terminate): -1
 
The smallest integer that you entered (before the -1) was -1000000

And

Enter some integers.  To terminate input, enter -1
 
Enter an integer : -1
 
The only entry you made was -1

Cheers!

Z

Of course!!! You are right. There I was a little bit blockheaded