How to return a 2D array using Reflection?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

Purpose of Code

To find out what picture is on the screen by comparing it with an already existing set of pixels, which are in the form of methods that return 2D arrays, in the DataStoragePics Class.

How I tried to Solve it

1. Using reflection I stored all the methods from DataStoragePics class in the methodStorage[].
2. Then I invoke a method from methodStorage[] which will then store in a tempMatrix[][].
3. Using a loop and another method (not shown here) I will later use to find out what type of Picture the captured set of pixels are.

What I need help with

When I try to solve the problem by using the steps mentioned above I get an error on the third line from the bottom in the main class repeated twice:

Multiple markers at this line - Type mismatch: cannot convert from Object to int.

I think the problem is methodStorage[x].invoke(DataStoragePicsObj) is a single array but it return a 2D array and the program doesn't recognize that so it needs either the tempMatrix to be a simple array or the methodStorage[] to be a 2D array. I need help solving that error.

This is the Main Class:

import java.lang.reflect.Method;

  int [][] tempMatrix = new int[16][450];

//Creates a DataStoragePics Object.
  DataStoragePics DataStoragePicsObj = new DataStoragePics();
//Stores all DataStoragePics methods in methods[].
  Method[] methodStorage = DataStoragePicsObj.getClass().getMethods();

//Loops through methodStorage[].
  for(int x = 0; x < method.length; x++)
  {
      //Stores a 2D array from DataStoragePics class in tempMatrix.
      //All methods in DataStoragePics return a 2D array with [16][10] dimensions.

      /*This is the error line*/ 
      tempMatrix[16][10] = methodStorage[x].invoke(DataStoragePicsObj);
      /*above is the error line*/
  }

This is Part of the DataStoragePics class:

public class DataStoragePics
{

  public int[][] picXYZ()
    {
      int[][] rgbValues = 
      {
        {1,2,3,4},
        {9,8,7,6}
      };

      return rgbValues;
    }
}

I am bit of a beginner when it come to java/coding so please don't use complicated terms.

Syllabus's answer helped but I am still getting this error: "Exception in thread "main" java.lang.ClassCastException: java.lang.Class cannot be cast to [[I" The thing is casting and it stores and returns stuff on the screen. Sometimes it shows the error at the end sometimes in the middle. Don't know why.

manpreet 2 years ago

Method[] methodStorage = DataStoragePicsObj.getClass().getMethods();

//Loops through methodStorage[].
  for(int x = 0; x < method.length; x++)

    Method m = methodStorage[x];
    if (m.getReturnType() != int[][].class || m.getParameterTypes().length != 0) {
        // Skip this method because it requires arguments or doesn't return int[][]
        continue;
    }