I am still very new to programming. I've only taken three programming classes, one in C++ and two in Java.

I decided I wanted to build my own version of Battleship. I've more or less got the entire project finished. My issue has been providing means of user validation to make sure that the user is actually inputting valid information.

I have a huge chunk of code inside of nested do-while loops, each one repeating if a specific condition returns false.

I've created a Board class that represents the game boards. This is the code minus the methods.

```
public class Board
{

// Create class-wide arrays to represent each board
private static int p1[][] = new int[10][10];
private static int p2[][] = new int[10][10];

// Create other class-wide variables
private static int p1Targets[][] = new int[10][10];
private static int p2Targets[][] = new int[10][10];
private static int boatOneLocationP1[][] = new int[2][2];
private static boolean boatOneP1Sunk = false;
private static int boatTwoLocationP1[][] = new int[3][2];
private static boolean boatTwoP1Sunk = false;
private static int boatThreeLocationP1[][] = new int[3][2];
private static boolean boatThreeP1Sunk = false;
private static int boatFourLocationP1[][] = new int[4][2];
private static boolean boatFourP1Sunk = false;
private static int boatFiveLocationP1[][] = new int[5][2];
private static boolean boatFiveP1Sunk = false;
private static int boatOneLocationP2[][] = new int[2][2];
private static boolean boatOneP2Sunk = false;
private static int boatTwoLocationP2[][] = new int[3][2];
private static boolean boatTwoP2Sunk = false;
private static int boatThreeLocationP2[][] = new int[3][2];
private static boolean boatThreeP2Sunk = false;
private static int boatFourLocationP2[][] = new int[4][2];
private static boolean boatFourP2Sunk = false;
private static int boatFiveLocationP2[][] = new int[5][2];
private static boolean boatFiveP2Sunk = false;

}

```

This is the entire placeBoats() method  

This is my placeBoats() method. The Player class has a static variable for the total number of Player objects created and each object has its own unique player number.

```
void placeBoats(Player p, Scanner kb)
{
    // Player is shown a menu, he must select all 5 options to place his
    // boats.
    // Once user has selected which boat he is placing, display the ocean
    // and ask the user for start and end coordinates

    // Use arrays for Menu Choices and for User Choices
    int[] menuChoices = new int[5];
    int[] userChoices = new int[5];

    // Initialize arrays
    for (int i = 0; i < userChoices.length; i++)
    {
        userChoices[i] = 0;
    }

    for (int i = 0; i < menuChoices.length; i++)
    {
        /*
         * 1. Two-Length Ship 2. Three-Length Ship 1 3. Three-Length Ship 2
         * 4. Four-Length Ship 5. Five-Length Ship
         * 
         * Repeat the do-while loop until userChoices[] == 1.
         */
        menuChoices[i] = i + 1;
    }

    // Begin do-while loop
    int num = 0;
    int boatLength = 0;
    int row1 = 0, col1 = 0, row2 = 0, col2 = 0;
    boolean notReady = true;
    boolean boatPresent = false;
    boolean validCoords = false;
    String starting, ending;

    do
    { // Jump to end
        do
        { // Jump to Place Boats
            boatPresent = false;

            do
            { // Jump to boat validation (making sure no boats already exist
                // in area)
                validCoords = false;
                // Display Menu
                System.out.println("Menu");
                if (menuChoices[0] == 1)
                {
                    System.out.println("1. Two-Length Ship");
                }

                if (menuChoices[1] == 2)
                {
                    System.out.println("2. Three-Length Ship 1");
                }

                if (menuChoices[2] == 3)
                {
                    System.out.println("3. Three-Length Ship 2");
                }

                if (menuChoices[3] == 4)
                {
                    System.out.println("4. Four-Length Ship");
                }

                if (menuChoices[4] == 5)
                {
                    System.out.println("5. Five-Length Ship");
                }

                // Get user input
                System.out.print("\nEnter your menu choice:  ");
                num = kb.nextInt();
                kb.nextLine();
                // Input Validation- input must be a valid menu choice
                while ((num != 1 && num != 2 && num != 3 && num != 4 && num != 5))
                {
                    System.out.print("Enter your menu choice:  ");
                    num = kb.nextInt();
                    kb.nextLine();
                }
                // Further Validation- Make sure number has not been picked
                // before yet
                while (userChoices[num - 1] == 1)
                {
                    System.out.print("Enter your menu choice:  ");
                    num = kb.nextInt();
                    kb.nextLine();
                }

                // Set boat length
                if (num == 1)
                    boatLength = 2;
                if (num == 2)
                    boatLength = 3;
                if (num == 3)
                    boatLength = 3;
                if (num == 4)
                    boatLength = 4;
                if (num == 5)
                    boatLength = 5;

                // ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                // Display ocean
                if (p.getPlayerNumber() == 1)
                {
                    showP1Board();
                    System.out.println();
                }

                if (p.getPlayerNumber() == 2)
                {
                    showP2Board();
                    System.out.println();
                }

                // Ask the user for the start and end coordinates (as a
                // String)
                System.out.print("Enter the starting coordinate for a "
                        + boatLength + "-length ship:  \n");
                starting = kb.nextLine();
                // Validate - Make sure the given values are valid
                while (starting.charAt(0) != 'A'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'B'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'C'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'D'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'E'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'F'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'G'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'H'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'I'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'J'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'a'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'b'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'c'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'd'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'e'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'f'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'g'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'h'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'i'
                        && starting.charAt(0) != 'j')
                {
                    System.out.print("Enter the starting coordinate for a "
                            + boatLength + "-length ship:  ");
                    starting = kb.nextLine();
                }
                while (starting.charAt(1) != '1'
                        && starting.charAt(1) != '2'
                        && starting.charAt(1) != '3'
                        && starting.charAt(1) != '4'
                        && starting.charAt(1) != '5'
                        && starting.charAt(1) != '6'
                        && starting.charAt(1) != '7'
                        && starting.charAt(1) != '8'
                        && starting.charAt(1) != '9')
                {
                    System.out.print("Enter the starting coordinate for a "
                            + boatLength + "-length ship:  ");
                    starting = kb.nextLine();
                }

                System.out.println("[" + starting.charAt(0) + "]["
                        + starting.charAt(1) + "]");

                System.out.println();
                // Set Row and Column 1
                switch (starting.charAt(0))
                {
                    case 'a':
                    case 'A':
                        row1 = 0;
                        break;
                    case 'b':
                    case 'B':
                        row1 = 1;
                        break;
                    case 'c':
                    case 'C':
                        row1 = 2;
                        break;
                    case 'd':
                    case 'D':
                        row1 = 3;
                        break;
                    case 'e':
                    case 'E':
                        row1 = 4;
                        break;
                    case 'f':
                    case 'F':
                        row1 = 5;
                        break;
                    case 'g':
                    case 'G':
                        row1 = 6;
                        break;
                    case 'h':
                    case 'H':
                        row1 = 7;
                        break;
                    case 'i':
                    case 'I':
                        row1 = 8;
                        break;
                    case 'j':
                    case 'J':
                        row1 = 9;
                        break;
                } // end switch statement

                switch (starting.charAt(1))
                {
                    case 49:
                    case 1:
                        col1 = 0;
                        break;
                    case 50:
                    case 2:
                        col1 = 1;
                        break;
                    case 51:
                    case 3:
                        col1 = 2;
                        break;
                    case 52:
                    case 4:
                        col1 = 3;
                        break;
                    case 53:
                    case 5:
                        col1 = 4;
                        break;
                    case 54:
                    case 6:
                        col1 = 5;
                        break;
                    case 55:
                    case 7:
                        col1 = 6;
                        break;
                    case 56:
                    case 8:
                        col1 = 7;
                        break;
                    case 57:
                    case 9:
                        col1 = 8;
                        break;
                }

                System.out.println(starting.length());

                if (starting.length() >= 3)
                {
                    if ((starting.charAt(1) == 1 || starting.charAt(1) == 49)
                            && (starting.charAt(2) == 0 || starting
                                    .charAt(2) == 48))
                    {
                        col1 = 9;
                    }
                }

                System.out.println("Row1 = " + row1 + "\tCol1 = " + col1);

                // //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

                System.out.print("Enter the ending coordinate for a "
                        + boatLength + "-length ship:  \n");
                ending = kb.nextLine();
                // Validate - Make sure the given values are valid
                while (ending.charAt(0) != 'A' && ending.charAt(0) != 'B'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'C'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'D'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'E'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'F'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'G'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'H'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'I'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'J'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'a'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'b'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'c'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'd'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'e'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'f'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'g'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'h'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'i'
                        && ending.charAt(0) != 'j')
                {
                    System.out.print("Enter the ending coordinate for a "
                            + boatLength + "-length ship:  ");
                    ending = kb.nextLine();
                }
                while (ending.charAt(1) != '1' && ending.charAt(1) != '2'
                        && ending.charAt(1) != '3'
                        && ending.charAt(1) != '4'
                        && ending.charAt(1) != '5'
                        && ending.charAt(1) != '6'
                        && ending.charAt(1) != '7'
                        && ending.charAt(1) != '8'
                        && ending.charAt(1) != '9')
                {
                    System.out.print("Enter the ending coordinate for a "
                            + boatLength + "-length ship:  ");
                    ending = kb.nextLine();
                }

                System.out.println("[" + ending.charAt(0) + "]["
                        + ending.charAt(1) + "]");

                System.out.println();

                // Set Row and Column 2
                switch (ending.charAt(0))
                {
                    case 'a':
                    case 'A':
                        row2 = 0;
                        break;
                    case 'b':
                    case 'B':
                        row2 = 1;
                        break;
                    case 'c':
                    case 'C':
                        row2 = 2;
                        break;
                    case 'd':
                    case 'D':
                        row2 = 3;
                        break;
                    case 'e':
                    case 'E':
                        row2 = 4;
                        break;
                    case 'f':
                    case 'F':
                        row2 = 5;
                        break;
                    case 'g':
                    case 'G':
                        row2 = 6;
                        break;
                    case 'h':
                    case 'H':
                        row2 = 7;
                        break;
                    case 'i':
                    case 'I':
                        row2 = 8;
                        break;
                    case 'j':
                    case 'J':
                        row2 = 9;
                        break;
                } // end switch statement

                switch (ending.charAt(1))
                {
                    case 49:
                    case 1:
                        col2 = 0;
                        break;
                    case 50:
                    case 2:
                        col2 = 1;
                        break;
                    case 51:
                    case 3:
                        col2 = 2;
                        break;
                    case 52:
                    case 4:
                        col2 = 3;
                        break;
                    case 53:
                    case 5:
                        col2 = 4;
                        break;
                    case 54:
                    case 6:
                        col2 = 5;
                        break;
                    case 55:
                    case 7:
                        col2 = 6;
                        break;
                    case 56:
                    case 8:
                        col2 = 7;
                        break;
                    case 57:
                    case 9:
                        col2 = 8;
                        break;
                }

                if (ending.length() >= 3)
                {
                    if ((ending.charAt(1) == 1 || ending.charAt(1) == 49)
                            && (ending.charAt(2) == 0 || ending.charAt(2) == 48))
                    {
                        col2 = 9;
                    }
                }

                // end set rows and cols
                System.out.println("Row2 = " + row2 + "\tCol2 = " + col2);

                // Make sure the coordinates are valid start and end
                // coordinates for the given length ship.
                if (((row1 == row2) && ((col2 == col1 + (boatLength - 1)) || (col2 == col1
                        - (boatLength - 1))))
                        || ((col1 == col2) && ((row2 == row1
                                + (boatLength - 1)) || (row2 == row1
                                - (boatLength - 1)))))
                    validCoords = true;

                if (!validCoords)
                    System.out.println("Error:  Invalid coordinates for a "
                            + boatLength + " -length ship.\n");
            } while (!validCoords); // end inner do-while

            // Make sure there is not a boat already in that area.
            // Loop through part of the array and check for 1's and 2's
            // (boat present on coordinate)
            // If there are, a boat is present and these coordinates are
            // therefore invalid.
            if (p.getPlayerNumber() == 1)
            {
                if (row1 == row2)
                {
                    if (col1 + boatLength > 9)
                    {
                        for (int r = row1; r < row1 + 1; r++)
                        {
                            for (int c = col1; c > col1 - boatLength; c--)
                            {
                                if (p1[r][c] == 1 || p1[r][c] == 2)
                                    boatPresent = true;
                            }
                        }
                    } else
                    {
                        for (int r = row1; r < row1 + 1; r++)
                        {
                            for (int c = col1; c < col1 + boatLength; c++)
                            {
                                if (p1[r][c] == 1 || p1[r][c] == 2)
                                    boatPresent = true;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                } else
                {
                    if (row1 + boatLength > 9)
                    {
                        for (int r = row1; r > row1 - boatLength; r--)
                        {
                            for (int c = col1; c < col1 + 1; c++)
                            {
                                if (p1[r][c] == 1 || p1[r][c] == 2)
                                    boatPresent = true;
                            }
                        }
                    } else
                    {
                        for (int r = row1; r < row1 + boatLength; r++)
                        {
                            for (int c = col1; c < col1 + 1; c++)
                            {
                                if (p1[r][c] == 1 || p1[r][c] == 2)
                                    boatPresent = true;
                            }
                        }
                    }

                }
            }
            if (p.getPlayerNumber() == 2)
            {
                if (row1 == row2)
                {
                    if (col1 + boatLength > 9)
                    {
                        for (int r = row1; r < row1 + 1; r++)
                        {
                            for (int c = col1; c > col1 - boatLength; c--)
                            {
                                if (p2[r][c] == 1 || p2[r][c] == 2)
                                    boatPresent = true;
                            }
                        }
                    } else
                    {
                        for (int r = row1; r < row1 + 1; r++)
                        {
                            for (int c = col1; c < col1 + boatLength; c++)
                            {
                                if (p2[r][c] == 1 || p2[r][c] == 2)
                                    boatPresent = true;
                            }
                        }
                    }

                } else
                {
                    if (row1 + boatLength > 9)
                    {
                        for (int r = row1; r > row1 - boatLength; r--)
                        {
                            for (int c = col1; c < col1 + 1; c++)
                            {
                                if (p2[r][c] == 1 || p2[r][c] == 2)
                                    boatPresent = true;
                            }
                        }
                    } else
                    {
                        for (int r = row1; r < row1 + boatLength; r++)
                        {
                            for (int c = col1; c < col1 + 1; c++)
                            {
                                if (p2[r][c] == 1 || p2[r][c] == 2)
                                    boatPresent = true;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }

            if (boatPresent)
                System.out
                        .println("Error:  Invalid coordinates, a boat is present in this location.");

        } while (boatPresent); // end outer do-while

        // Place the boat on the ocean
        if (p.getPlayerNumber() == 1)
        {
            if (row1 == row2)
            {
                if (col1 + boatLength - 1 > 9
                        || (starting.charAt(1) > ending.charAt(1)))
                {
                    for (int r = row1; r < row1 + 1; r++)
                    {
                        for (int c = col1, counter = 0; c > col1
                                - boatLength; c--, counter++)
                        {
                            // place boat
                            p1[r][c] = 1;
                            // Record coordinates in the static arrays for
                            // boat location
                            switch (num)
                            {
                                case 1:
                                    boatOneLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatOneLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 2:
                                    boatTwoLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatTwoLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 3:
                                    boatThreeLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatThreeLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 4:
                                    boatFourLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFourLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 5:
                                    boatFiveLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFiveLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                            }

                        }
                    }
                } else
                {
                    for (int r = row1; r < row1 + 1; r++)
                    {
                        for (int c = col1, counter = 0; c < col1
                                + boatLength; c++, counter++)
                        {
                            p1[r][c] = 1;
                            // Record coordinates in the static arrays for
                            // boat location
                            switch (num)
                            {
                                case 1:
                                    boatOneLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatOneLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 2:
                                    boatTwoLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatTwoLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 3:
                                    boatThreeLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatThreeLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 4:
                                    boatFourLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFourLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 5:
                                    boatFiveLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFiveLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            } else
            // Columns the same
            {
                // Going backwards
                if (row1 + boatLength - 1 > 9
                        || (starting.charAt(0) > ending.charAt(0)))
                {
                    for (int r = row1, counter = 0; r > row1 - boatLength; r--, counter++)
                    {
                        for (int c = col1; c < col1 + 1; c++)
                        {
                            p1[r][c] = 1;
                            // Record coordinates in the static arrays for
                            // boat location
                            switch (num)
                            {
                                case 1:
                                    boatOneLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatOneLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 2:
                                    boatTwoLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatTwoLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 3:
                                    boatThreeLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatThreeLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 4:
                                    boatFourLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFourLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 5:
                                    boatFiveLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFiveLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                } else
                // going forwards
                {
                    for (int r = row1, counter = 0; r < row1 + boatLength; r++, counter++)
                    {
                        for (int c = col1; c < col1 + 1; c++)
                        {
                            p1[r][c] = 1;
                            // Record coordinates in the static arrays for
                            // boat location
                            switch (num)
                            {
                                case 1:
                                    boatOneLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatOneLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 2:
                                    boatTwoLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatTwoLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 3:
                                    boatThreeLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatThreeLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 4:
                                    boatFourLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFourLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 5:
                                    boatFiveLocationP1[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFiveLocationP1[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }

            }
        }
        if (p.getPlayerNumber() == 2)
        {
            if (row1 == row2)
            {
                if (col1 + boatLength - 1 > 9
                        || (starting.charAt(1) > ending.charAt(1)))
                {
                    for (int r = row1; r < row1 + 1; r++)
                    {
                        for (int c = col1, counter = 0; c > col1
                                - boatLength; c--, counter++)
                        {
                            p2[r][c] = 1;
                            // Record coordinates in the static arrays for
                            // boat location
                            switch (num)
                            {
                                case 1:
                                    boatOneLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatOneLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 2:
                                    boatTwoLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatTwoLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 3:
                                    boatThreeLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatThreeLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 4:
                                    boatFourLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFourLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 5:
                                    boatFiveLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFiveLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                } else
                {
                    for (int r = row1; r < row1 + 1; r++)
                    {
                        for (int c = col1, counter = 0; c < col1
                                + boatLength; c++, counter++)
                        {
                            p2[r][c] = 1;
                            // Record coordinates in the static arrays for
                            // boat location
                            switch (num)
                            {
                                case 1:
                                    boatOneLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatOneLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 2:
                                    boatTwoLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatTwoLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 3:
                                    boatThreeLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatThreeLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 4:
                                    boatFourLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFourLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 5:
                                    boatFiveLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFiveLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }

            } else
            // Columns the same
            {
                if (row1 + boatLength - 1 > 9
                        || (starting.charAt(0) > ending.charAt(0)))
                {
                    // Going backwards
                    for (int r = row1, counter = 0; r > row1 - boatLength; r--, counter++)
                    {
                        for (int c = col1; c < col1 + 1; c++)
                        {
                            p2[r][c] = 1;
                            // Record coordinates in the static arrays for
                            // boat location
                            switch (num)
                            {
                                case 1:
                                    boatOneLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatOneLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 2:
                                    boatTwoLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatTwoLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 3:
                                    boatThreeLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatThreeLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 4:
                                    boatFourLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFourLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 5:
                                    boatFiveLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFiveLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                } else
                // going forwards
                {
                    for (int r = row1, counter = 0; r < row1 + boatLength; r++, counter++)
                    {
                        for (int c = col1; c < col1 + 1; c++)
                        {
                            p2[r][c] = 1;
                            // Record coordinates in the static arrays for
                            // boat location
                            switch (num)
                            {
                                case 1:
                                    boatOneLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatOneLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 2:
                                    boatTwoLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatTwoLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 3:
                                    boatThreeLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatThreeLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 4:
                                    boatFourLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFourLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                                case 5:
                                    boatFiveLocationP2[counter][0] = r;
                                    boatFiveLocationP2[counter][1] = c;
                                    break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        // userChoices[num-1] = 1; update statements
        userChoices[num - 1] = 1;
        menuChoices[num - 1] = 0;

        // Check to see if we are ready to continue out of the loop.
        notReady = true;
        if (userChoices[0] == 1 && userChoices[1] == 1
                && userChoices[2] == 1 && userChoices[3] == 1
                && userChoices[4] == 1)
            notReady = false;
        System.out.println();
    } while (notReady);
}

```

Everything seems to work just fine when I run the program in a driver class, unless during the lines....

```
// Get user input
System.out.print("\nEnter your menu choice:  ");
num = kb.nextInt();

```

.... the user enters a String. In that case, the compiler throws an InputMismatchException.

I **understand** why I'm getting this error, but how can I prevent the user from inputting a String? I thought that the two while() statements I have following the user-input line would take care of that, but if given a String it still throws an Exception...

Any ideas on how to fix this? By the way, this is my first post here, so sorry if I posted way too much code. Figured I'd be more specific than vague.

EDIT: Thank you C.B. , ccjmne, and ryvantage, and everyone else who replied. All of your input led me to my final solution, which I'm showing below. If there's a better way of doing it, please let me know.

```
//Prompt user for menu choice
                try
                {
                    // Prompt user
                    System.out.print("Enter your menu choice:  ");

                    // Get input from user
                    num = kb.nextInt();
                } catch (InputMismatchException e)
                {
                    System.out
                            .println("Error, invalid input.  Try again.\n");
                    kb.next();
                }

                kb.nextLine();

                // Input Validation- input must be a valid menu choice
                while ((num != 1 && num != 2 && num != 3 && num != 4 && num != 5))
                {
                    try
                    {
                        // Prompt user
                        System.out.print("Enter your menu choice:  ");

                        // Get input from user
                        num = kb.nextInt();
                    } catch (InputMismatchException e)
                    {
                        System.out
                                .println("Error, invalid input.  Try again.\n");
                    }
                    kb.nextLine();
                }
                // Further Validation- Make sure number has not been picked
                // before yet
                while (userChoices[num - 1] == 1)
                {
                    try
                    {
                        // Prompt user
                        System.out.print("Enter your menu choice:  ");

                        // Get input from user
                        num = kb.nextInt();
                    } catch (InputMismatchException e)
                    {
                        System.out
                                .println("Error, invalid input.  Try again.\n");
                    }
                    kb.nextLine();
                }

```