java problem

b3t4

Hey people,

Really hope you can help me out.

I've a JMenu and an actionPerformed method listening for the ActionEvent. In the actionPerformed method I have different if statements relating to the different getActionCommand.

//simplified look at things
if(g.getActionCommand == "Generate File")
{
//create a file
}

if(g.getActionCommand == "Read File")
{
Election newElection = new Election();
//add stuff from the file to the newElection object
}

//another menu option
if(g.getActionCommand == "Something else")
{
//try to use the altered newElection object
}

My problem is that in the thrid if statement I can't do anything with the altered class as I had hoped. newElection as far as it is concerned is empty of any data added in the Read File if statement. However, I want the scope of the newElection class to be extended to the next if statement but I am really unsure on how to do this. I tried placing the Election newElection = newElection() outside the if statements but no luck. I have looked into the idea of clones but I'm at a bigger loss as to what to do. I'm not even sure if what I want is possible.

Any help would be really appreciated,
Thanks,
A.

CH

how about...

[php]
public void actionPerformed()
{
Election newElection = null;

//simplified look at things
if(g.getActionCommand == "Generate File")
{
//create a file
}

if(g.getActionCommand == "Read File")
{
newElection = new Election();
//add stuff from the file to the newElection object
}

//another menu option
if(g.getActionCommand == "Something else")
{
if(newElection != null)
//try to use the altered newElection object
else
//"Read File" has not been called
}
}
[/php]