Variable not initialized error?

Question

Ok, so I run this code and it give me the error:

SammysRentalPriceWithMethods.java:49: error: variable Minutes might not have been initialized
 int TOTAL_COST = Minutes - 60 * 1 + 40;
 ^

I have no idea how to fix it, also I am sorry if my code is inefficient, I have only been on Java for 3 weeks, very much a beginnner.

import java.util.Scanner; 
public class SammysRentalPriceWithMethods {
 public static void main(String[] args) {
 rentalTime();
 companyMotto();
 whenIGetMoney();
 }
 public static int rentalTime() { 
 int Minutes;
 Scanner inputDevice = new Scanner(System.in);
 System.out.print("Enter total minutes equipment was rented:");
 Minutes = inputDevice.nextInt();
 return Minutes;
 }
 public static void companyMotto() {
 System.out.println(
 "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS \r\n" + 
 "S S \r\n" + 
 "S S \r\n" +
 "S S \r\n" +
 "S S \r\n" +
 "S S \r\n" +
 "S Sammy's makes it fun in the sun S \r\n" +
 "S S \r\n" + 
 "S S \r\n" +
 "S S \r\n" +
 "S S \r\n" +
 "S S \r\n" +
 "S S \r\n" +
 "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS \r\n");
 }
 public static void whenIGetMoney() {
 final int HOURLY_RATE = 40;
 final int EXTRA_MIN_RATE = 1; 
 int Minutes; 
 int TOTAL_COST = Minutes - 60 * 1 + 40;
 System.out.println("You rented our equipment for " + Minutes + " minutes!");
 System.out.println("The total cost of an " + Minutes + " minute rental is $" + TOTAL_COST + ".");
 }
}

I get the error in my last method telling me that the varible Minutes isnt initialized, got any ideas?

Answer 1

I think you should try this:

int min = rentalTime();
companyMotto();
whenIGetMoney(min);

with this modification:

public static void whenIGetMoney(int min) {
 final int HOURLY_RATE = 40;
 final int EXTRA_MIN_RATE = 1; 
 int Minutes = min;
 ...

• Michael: I would like to let you know that, I. Love. You. This worked perfectly! dsfajfldahskflaifudsakdflh Sweet baby Jesus Thank you!

Answer 2

You can't use a local variable without initializing it first. Your Minutes variable isn't initialized and you try to use it. just declare it like int Minutes = 0; in the whenIGetMoney() method. Anyway, the result won't be what you expect to be, as the variable Minutes has not the correct value in it.