How to Fix the Cannot Find Symbol Error in Your Java Program

Discover how to solve the `cannot find symbol` error in your Java application with our step-by-step guide. Understand the error, learn to fix code issues, and successfully calculate paint costs for your projects!
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: My program produces cannot find symbol error and I'm not sure where I am going wrong

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Tackling the Cannot Find Symbol Error in Java

Java is a widely-used programming language, but for beginners, it can sometimes throw errors that are puzzling to understand. One common error many new developers encounter is the cannot find symbol error. In this guide, we'll explore this error further and learn how to fix it through a practical example of calculating the amount of paint needed for a room.

Understanding the Problem

You received the following error message while trying to compile your Java program:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This message indicates that the Java compiler cannot find the variable area you referenced when calling the computeGallons method. Similarly, there’s another error related to the gallons variable. In your case, this can happen due to a misunderstanding of method return values and variable assignment.

Breaking Down the Solution

To fix the issue, you need to ensure that you are properly using the return values of your methods. Let's walk through the steps to correct the code.

Step 1: Correctly Assign Return Values

You have two methods that calculate and return values: computeArea and computeGallons. To use the results from these methods, you need to assign their return values to variables. Instead of just calling the methods, replace the following lines:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

with:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Revised Code Implementation

With the changes made to correctly assign the return values of the methods, your revised code should look like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Compiling and Running Your Program

After you've made these changes, save your file and compile it again. If everything is correct, you should no longer see the cannot find symbol error and your program will calculate the amount of paint needed along with the total cost.

Conclusion

The cannot find symbol error often arises from not using variable values properly in your method calls. By ensuring the return values from your methods are assigned to variables before being used, you can fix this error efficiently. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be solving problems in Java with confidence! Happy coding!