How to call toString() Method from one class to another class without main method in java

Question

I'm trying to make simple pokemon game.

How to I call toString method from Trainer.java to Arena.java ? I tried to use this.trainer1.toString() , but it doesn't work. Also Arena.java has no main method.

while compiling programme, this error appears

Arena.java:14: error: illegal start of type
    this.trainer1.toString();
    ^
Arena.java:14: error: ';' expected
    this.trainer1.toString();
        ^
Arena.java:14: error: <identifier> expected
    this.trainer1.toString();
                          ^
Arena.java:15: error: illegal start of type
    this.trainer2.toString();
    ^
Arena.java:15: error: ';' expected
    this.trainer2.toString();
        ^
Arena.java:15: error: <identifier> expected
    this.trainer2.toString();
                          ^
6 errors

Here are the files

Trainer.java

import java.util.Random;

public class Trainer {

    private String nameTrainer;
    private Taschenmonster[] inventar = new Taschenmonster[6];

    // getter and setter Methods for attributes

    /*
     * getter and setter for nameTrainer
     */
    public String getNameTrainer() {
        return this.nameTrainer;
    }
    public void setNameTrainer(String nameTrainer) {
        this.nameTrainer = nameTrainer;
    }

    /*
     * getter and setter for inventar
     */
    // public Taschenmonster getInventar() {
    //     return this.inventar;
    // }
    // public void setName(String nameTrainer) {
    //     this.nameTrainer = nameTrainer;
    // }

    // constructor of class Trainer
    Trainer (String nameTrainer) {
        this.nameTrainer = nameTrainer;
    }

    /*
     * Adds Taschenmonster to Inventar of Trainer.
     */
    public void receive(int pos, Taschenmonster monsterObject) {
       if (pos < 6) {
           inventar[pos] = monsterObject;
       } 
    }

    /*
     * give out a randomly selected Taschenmonster for battle
     */
    public Taschenmonster send() {

        int random = new Random().nextInt(inventar.length);

        return inventar[random];

    }

    /*
     * Overriding the string method 
     */
    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return "Taschenmonster von " + nameTrainer + "\n" + inventar[0].getNameMonster() + " " + inventar[1].getNameMonster() + " " + inventar[2].getNameMonster() + " " + inventar[3].getNameMonster() + " " + inventar[4].getNameMonster() + " " + inventar[5].getNameMonster();    
    }

    
}

Arena.java

public class Arena {


    private Trainer trainer1;
    private Trainer trainer2;

    // constructor of class Arena
    Arena (Trainer trainer1, Trainer trainer2) {
        this.trainer1 = trainer1;
        this.trainer2 = trainer2;
    }

    // giving out the profile of the trainers
    // this.trainer1.toString();
    // this.trainer2.toString();


}

Main.java

public class Main {
    public static void main(String args[]) {

        // making objects from class Taschenmonster
        Taschenmonster t1 = new Taschenmonster("Pikachu", 5, 7);
        Taschenmonster t2 = new Taschenmonster("Eevee", 5, 6);
        Taschenmonster t3 = new Taschenmonster("Charmander", 5, 4);
        Taschenmonster t4 = new Taschenmonster("Bulbasaur", 5, 5);
        Taschenmonster t5 = new Taschenmonster("Squirtle", 5, 2);
        Taschenmonster t6 = new Taschenmonster("Mewoth", 5, 3);

        // instantiating trainers from class Trainer
        Trainer trainer1 = new Trainer("Paul");
        Trainer trainer2 = new Trainer("Chris");

        // adding Taschenmonster to both trainers
        trainer1.receive(0, t1);
        trainer1.receive(1, t2);
        trainer1.receive(2, t3);
        trainer1.receive(3, t4);
        trainer1.receive(4, t5);
        trainer1.receive(5, t6);

        trainer2.receive(0, t1);
        trainer2.receive(1, t2);
        trainer2.receive(2, t3);
        trainer2.receive(3, t4);
        trainer2.receive(4, t5);
        trainer2.receive(5, t6);

        // giving out profiles of Players
        System.out.println(trainer1);
        System.out.println(trainer2);


    }
}

Taschenmonster.java

import java.util.*;

public class Taschenmonster {


    // class attributes
    private String nameMonster;
    private int lives, damageValue;

    // getter and setter Methods for attributes

    /*
     * getter and setter for nameMonster
     */
    public String getNameMonster() {
        return this.nameMonster;
    }
    public void setNameMonster(String nameMonster) {
        this.nameMonster = nameMonster;
    }

    /*
     * getter and setter for lives
     */
    public int getLives() {
        return this.lives;
    }
    public void setLives(int lives) {
        this.lives = lives;
    }

    /*
     * getter and setter for damageValue
     */
    public int getDamageValue() {
        return this.damageValue;
    }
    public void setDamageValue(int damageValue) {
        this.damageValue = damageValue;
    }


    // constructor of class Taschenmonster
    Taschenmonster (String nameMonster, int lives, int damageValue) {
        this.nameMonster = nameMonster;
        this.lives = lives;
        this.damageValue = damageValue;
    }


    /*
     * how much lives is remaining with Taschenmonster
     */
    public void receiveDamage() {
        this.lives--;
        if (this.lives == 0) {
            System.out.println("Caution! No lives left.");
        }
    }

    /*
     * gives out estimated attackValue of Taschenmonster in form of double. 
     */
    public int attackValue() {
        Random random = new Random();
        return this.damageValue *= random.nextInt() % 2;
    }

    /*
     * Overriding toString() Method and values of object 
     */
    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return nameMonster + " " + lives + " " + damageValue;
    }


}

Answer 1

Issue

The compiler errors shown complain about method-invocations that are loosely dangling in your class. These method-invocations in a class must be located inside executable blocks like static { } or public String toString() { } .

Inside a block means inside curly braces like:

void method {
  // inside a block
  callOtherMethod();
}

Print fields of a class

To print out the trainers (fields of class Arena ) you can add an instance method to the class. For example public void printTrainers() {} .

Therein add a printing call like System.out.println() . As argument to this method-invocation pass the trainer1 field or explicitly the expression trainer1.toString() , even longer this.trainer1.toString() .

Then you can call the method (it should be public ) from outside (eg in your main) like: arena.printTrainers(); .

Code Example:

public class Arena {

    private Trainer trainer1;
    private Trainer trainer2;

    // constructor of class Arena
    Arena (Trainer trainer1, Trainer trainer2) {
        this.trainer1 = trainer1;
        this.trainer2 = trainer2;
    }

    public void printTrainers() {
        // giving out the profile of the trainers

        System.out.println(this.trainer1.toString());

        // this.trainer2.toString();
        System.out.println(trainer2); // equal result: calls toString implicitly
    }

}

Further spots

You can also print trainers from your main-method directly. Therefor they must be accessible like variables.

✔️ It will work like seen in your code:

// previous class lines omitted

    public static void main(String args[]) {  // executable-BLOCK begins

        // instantiating trainers from class Trainer
        Trainer trainer1 = new Trainer("Paul");  // declaration can also be outside the method- or executable-block
        Trainer trainer2 = new Trainer("Chris");

        // giving out profiles of Players
        System.out.println(trainer1);        // INSIDE the executable-block: valid invocation OK 
        System.out.println(trainer2);

    }  // executable-BLOCK ends

// further class lines omitted
}

⚠️ Warning: the heading comment states Players but you are printing Trainers .