[PJUG Javamail] HELP!! Student Newbie is flailing about

[Leslie Martin]

I'm a first-termer in Java at PCC. I'm in a bit over my head on this (never having done any formal programming languages before) and still struggling some with the basics. I'm stuck on an assignment and I need some direction. I'm not looking specifics, please, just enough direction to help me find my way. Also, we are using BlueJ in this course (for what-ever that's worth for the sake of this discussion). Also, please keep in mind that I am barely comprehending some of this, so you will have to type slowly for me to understand what you're saying!! :)

Also, time is of the essence! Although the assignment isn't due until mid-day Wednesday, I have only about 1/3 of the way through and I have work in several other courses that also are demanding my time (plus a wife who makes the same demands!!).

Here is the section of code I'm having trouble with.

        HashMap<String, Color> ballColor = new HashMap<String, Color>();
        ballColor.put("0", Color.blue);
        ballColor.put("1", Color.red);
        ballColor.put("2", Color.yellow);
        ballColor.put("3", Color.black);
        
         HashMap<Integer, Integer> ballSize = new HashMap<Integer, Integer>();
        ballSize.put(0, 10);
        ballSize.put(1, 12);
        ballSize.put(2, 14);
        ballSize.put(3, 16);
        ballSize.put(4, 18);
        ballSize.put(5, 20);

        /**
         * create, place and show the balls
         * ball starting x-position is 10 plus (the current ball number*20) to provide a little space
         * ball starting y-position is 275, near the top of the canvas
         * ball diameter is pulled from HashMap BallSize
         * ball color is pulled from HashMap BallColor
         */
        
        /**
         * have to initialize howManyBalls to '1' to make the math work
         */
        int howManyBalls = 1;
        if (Integer.toString(quantity) == null) {
                bounce();        
        } else {
            // create the balls
            while(howManyBalls <= quantity) {
                int xMarksTheSpot = 10+howManyBalls*20;
                int howBigTheyAre = 6%howManyBalls;
                Color manyColors = ballColor.get(Integer.toString(4%howManyBalls));
                iGotBalls.add(new BouncingBall(xMarksTheSpot,10, howBigTheyAre, manyColors, ground, myCanvas));

Instead of the value from the HashMaps being inserted into the last line at howBigTheyAre and manyColors I am getting the key for howBigTheyAre and <object reference> for manyColors. So, I'm thinking I need some function to pull the values out, but I cant figure out what.

If anyone can give me some direction on this, I'd really appreciate it
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