Error Message : XXX is a 'type' but is used like a 'variable'

[vodkasoda]

I may not be that good at C#, but I'm getting pretty good at asking questions :-D !!!

I need to "shuffle" an Array, I've found different ways of doing it but can't get any of them to work, this method seems straightforward enough, but I am getting the error "'KA_EMail_LeagueCup.Shuffle' is a 'type' but is used like a 'variable'".

I (think I) have created a Class called Shuffle.cs*, it has it's own tab and this is the code ...

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
 
namespace KA_EMail_LeagueCup
{
    class Shuffle
    {
 
    static Random _random = new Random();
 
    public static void Shuffle<T>(T[] array)
    {
    var random = _random;
    for (int i = array.Length; i > 1; i--)
    {
        // Pick random element to swap.
        int j = random.Next(i); // 0 <= j <= i-1
        // Swap.
        T tmp = array[j];
        array[j] = array[i - 1];
        array[i - 1] = tmp;
    }
    }
    }
}

... I then say this ...

Shuffle(KA_Team);

(where KA_Team is a filled string Array of 36 occurrences)

... and this is where I get the error. OK, I realise that I need to go back to my video course and learn a few more basics, but I was getting on so well with this earlier that I just ploughed ahead !!!

[GaryTexmo]

You named your class Shuffle, and then you have a generic typed static method on that class that takes a parameter which is also called Shuffle. To call that method, you need to supply both the type, and the object the method will take. So for example, if you were using a list of integer objects, your code might look like this...

List<int> intList = new List<int>();
intList.AddRange(new int[] { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 });
 
Shuffle.Shuffle<List<int>>(intList);

Do you see how you need to supply the type for the generically typed method as well as the object? Anyhoo, this is a bit confusing to read so you might want to consider renaming your class to something else. Perhaps something like Utils or ArrayUtils, or even going so far as to encapsulate your objects further by creating your own class to store values, then providing a method on it to shuffle. You have many options :)

[vodkasoda]

Sorry, been away from this for a few days, just trying to figure out what you mean now !!!

[vodkasoda]

Sorry GaryTexmo, I just don't understand :-(

I am going to go and watch a few more videos (learning ones, not leisure ones !!!), but in the meantime if it's possible for you to explain what you mean with an example or two I would appreciate it ...

[Rabbit]

You have a class called shuffle. And you have a function called shuffle. It's assuming you're referring to the class.