How do we create a menu to interact with the Cat Happy API?
This content explores how to create an interactive menu in Java to manage cat images from the Cat Happy API. This process is essential for those who want to develop interactive applications based on external data, applying object-oriented programming concepts and good practices in exception handling.
How do we structure the menu?
First, you need to define the menu options that you will offer to the users. It is important that the options are clear and actionable to correctly guide the user experience.
- Define a
String
called menu
that contains the options for the user to choose from. You can use the character to list each option on a new line.
- Create a
String
array called buttons
where you will store these options for later use in the GUI.
String menu = "Options:Options" + "1. View another image" + "2. Mark cat as favorite" + "3. Return to menu";
String[] buttons = {"View another image", "Favorite", "Return"};
How do we present the options to the user?
To present these options to the user, we will use a dialog box that allows you to select among them:
- Use
JOptionPane.showInputDialog
to display a dialog box that displays the menu options and waits for a response from the user.
- The dialog box should display the cat image and the interaction options.
int option = JOptionPane.showOptionDialog( null, menu, " Image ID: " + cat.getId(), JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE, null, buttons, buttons[0]);
How do we manage user selections?
With each option selected, you must have a flow defined to handle user interaction. Use control structures like switch
to define specific actions according to the selected option.
- Option
0
could generate a new API call to review another image.
- Option
1
calls a favoriteCat
method that marks the current cat as a favorite.
- Option
2
could redirect the user to the main menu or close the application.
switch(option) { case 0: viewAnotherImage(); break; case 1: favoriteCat(cat); break; default: System.out.println("Invalid option."); break;}
What common errors can we find and how to fix them?
In programming, error handling is crucial to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted experience. One of the common errors is incorrect data type conversion, especially when handling unique IDs or identifiers.
- Check that the data type matches the definition in the model. If in the database or in the API the ID is as
String
, it should be reflected the same in the Java model.
- Review and test the application after making any changes. Use testing tools such as Postman to validate the correct reception and sending of data.
public class Gato { private String id; }
Keep an eye on how the user interacts with the interface and optimize the flow according to the experience you want to provide. With each class and run, applications become more robust, bringing you closer to a complete and functional implementation. Continue to explore, build, and hone your programming skills!
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