How to Take Multiple String Input in Java Using Scanner

In Java, Scanner is a class that provides methods for input of different primitive types. It is defined in java.util package. In this section, we will learn how to take multiple string input in Java using Scanner class.

We must import the package before using the Scanner class. For example, if want to take input a string or multiple string, we use naxtLine() method. It is only a way to take multiple string input in Java using the nextLine() method of the Scanner class.

Java nextLine() Method

The nextLine() method moves the scanner down after returning the current line. It reads String input including the space between the words. It does not accept any parameter. It returns a String (line) of that was skipped.

Syntax:

The method throws the NoSuchElementException if it does not find a line and throws IllegalStateException if the Scanner is closed.

Let's create a program that takes multiple String input.

In the following example, we have created an instance of the Scanner class. After that, we have invoked the nextLine() method that takes the string as input. At last, with the help of a for-each loop, we have printed all the strings that we have entered.

MultipleStringInputExample1.java

Output:

Please enter the number of strings you want to enter: 5
Robert
Harry
Charlie
Thomas
David

You have entered: 
Robert
Harry
Charlie
Thomas
David

Let's see another example.

In the following example, we have used the Scanner class. But did not use the nextLine() method. Instead of it, we have used forEachRemaining() method.

It is a Java Interface Spliterator that is used to perform the specified action for each element sequentially in the current thread. It executes until all elements have been processed or the action throws an exception. It does not return anything.

Syntax:

It throws NullPointerException if the action is null.

MultipleStringInputExample2.java

Output:

Enter the elements: 
Java
Java
Python
Python
Pascal
Pascal
C++
C++

Using Lambda Expression

We can also write the above program in the following manner by using the lambda expression.

MultipleStringInputExample3.java

Output:

Canada
Canada
America
America
Russia
Russia
France
France

The following example also takes the multiple String input. But in this example, we have used another method hasNextLine(). The method returns true if there is another line of input of this scanner. The while loop execute until the method hasNextLine() returns false.

MultipleStringInputExample4.java

Output:

Apple
Apple
Grapes
Grapes
Watermelon
Watermelon

In the following example, we have used a for loop that executes up to n times. Inside the loop, we have called the nextLine() method that takes the String input.

MultipleStringInputExample5.java

Output:

Enter the elements: 
Data Structure
Data Structure
Web Services
Web Services
Web Designing 
Web Designing