java - Search through HashMap with user input string -

i creating dictionary application small assignment, these were, unfortunately, given out random , have pulled 1 have no idea how implement.

i hear suggestions taking user input , using through hashmap (is possible?) provide definition.

additionally (sorry), has bilingual, have words in both languages in 1 hashmap , have way search through both?

i out of league here, appreciated.

import java.util.hashmap; import java.util.map; import java.io.*;    public class dictionary {      public static void main(string[] args) {          map<string, string> map = new hashmap<string, string>();          string s1 = getinput("enter word define: ");            map.put ("abduction","a carrying away of person against or illegally.");          map.put ("ache","to in pain or distress.");          map.put ("befriend","to friend to, when in need.");          map.put ("bilingual","speaking 2 languages.");          map.put ("comical","something funny.");          map.put ("comprehensive","large in scope or content.");          map.put ("deplete","to reduce or lessen, use, exhaustion or waste.");          map.put ("detest","to dislike or hate intensity.");       }           private static string getinput(string prompt) {             bufferedreader stdin = new bufferedreader(                     new inputstreamreader(system.in));              system.out.print(prompt);             system.out.flush();              try {                 return stdin.readline();             } catch (exception e) {                 return "error: " + e.getmessage();              }         }     } 

you've entirely missed point of hashmap if you're attempting search through it. hashmap designed subvert need search, using value key.

if(map.containskey(userinput)) {     return map.get(userinput); } 

this meant hashmap having o(1) complexity when searching. ever need iterate or recurse once.

additionally (sorry), has bilingual, have words in both languages in 1 hashmap , have way search through both?

yes. add new entries hashmap.

map.put("hello", "a greeting"); map.put("hola", "una greetingo"); // forgive racist spanish. 

extra (in case necessary) reading

• read on hashmap. need learn basic stuff object. you're out of depth because haven't spent appropriate time learning problem.