Menu Driven Program in Java: Making Choices Easy

So, let’s talk about something pretty cool in the programming world – menu-driven programs. You know, those programs that make everything feel very easy because they’re engaging and super user-friendly? We are exploring menu driven program in Java in this blog.

Here we will see everything about these programs. We will see how they are used with examples.

What is a Menu Driven Program?

A menu driven program is where we give multiple options to the users. Like a calculator, where we can give operations to the user to choose from. These operations (menu options) are actually functions or a block of code that executes when someone chooses it. Let’s understand it better with the flowchart – 

How Do You Write a Menu Driven Program in Java?

Writing a menu driven program in Java involves a few key steps, and there are multiple approaches you can take. Let’s explore some of these approaches:-

Multiple Approaches

• Using if-else: In this approach, you use a series of if-else statements to check the user’s choice and execute the corresponding code block.
• Using while loop: You can present the menu within a while loop, repeatedly displaying the menu and taking user input until they decide to exit.
• Using do while loop:- Similar to the while loop approach, this approach ensures that the menu is displayed at least once, even if the user decides not to perform any action.
• Using functions: By modularizing your code into functions, you can enhance the readability and maintainability of your menu-driven program.

Examples / Projects

Let’s take a look at some practical examples of menu-driven programs:

Calculator

Write a menu driven program in java to create a simple calculator. It should be able to do the all four arithmetical operations. Give an “Exit” option to the user, so that until then he can do as much calculations he want. Here you use the infinite loop in java. To get out of that loop, you use the “break” keyword.

Input:

Output:

Bank Transactions

Write a menu driven program in Java to create a transaction management software for a bank. This program should be able to do the following actions:-

1. View Balance:- display the account balance
2. Deposit:- add the money to the account balance
3. Withdraw:- substract the amount from balance
4. Exit:- exit the program

Input:

Output:

Hotel Menu

Design a menu-driven program for a restaurant where users can browse the menu, select items, and place an order.

Input:

Output:

String Operations

Write a menu driven program in java that does the following string operations:-

1. Concatenate Strings:- concatenate the two given strings
2. Find Length of a String:- display length of the string
3. Convert to Uppercase:- convert all characters to uppercase
4. Convert to Lowercase:- convert all characters to lowercase
5. Exit:- exit the program

Input:-

Output:-

Area and Perimeter of Different Shapes

Write a menu driven program in java that calculates the area and perimeter of the following shapes:-

1. Rectangle:- Calculate Area and Perimeter of Rectangle
2. Circle:- Calculate Area and Circumference of Circle
3. Triangle:- Calculate Area of Triangle
4. Exit:- exit the program

Build a tool that calculates the area and perimeter of shapes like circles, rectangles, and triangles based on user inputs.

Input:

Output:

There was also a question in a school about writing the same program using an overloaded function. 

So, let’s see how that will work.

Input:

Output:

FAQs

What is the advantage of a menu-driven program? 

Menu driven programs provide a structured interface that simplifies user interaction. This making it easy for users to navigate and understand the available options.

Can I use graphical interfaces for menu-driven programs in Java? 

Yes, you can use graphical user interfaces (GUIs) like Swing or JavaFX to create more visually appealing and interactive menu-driven programs.

Are there limitations to menu driven programs? 

While menu-driven programs are great for offering a set of predefined options, they might not be suitable for complex scenarios where user inputs and interactions are highly dynamic.

Key Points

1. User friendly and efficient UIs are vital in programming.
2. Menu-driven programs in Java offer structured choices for smoother interaction.
3. These examples & approaches we discussed, will help in creating engaging programs.
4. Practice these programs, that will really help you in logic building.