Java error: method cannot be applied to given types

Error reference

Java error: method cannot be applied to given types

This page is part of Intro to Java with Greenfoot. It assumes you have reached lesson 1.5. Opening it is not counted against you and is not tracked as progress.

The message

method X in class Y cannot be applied to given types

What it actually means

The method exists, but you gave it the wrong number of arguments or the wrong kinds.

The usual causes

Ranked by how often each one turns out to be the answer. Work down the list.

  1. Calling with no arguments a method that requires one, such as move() instead of move(4).
  2. Passing two arguments to a method that takes one.
  3. Passing a decimal where a whole number was wanted.

How to fix it

Compare the required and found lines Java prints. Count the arguments on each side, then check their types. move() needs one whole number; move(4) is right and move() is not.

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