this global variable must go!

[juliane gross]

this global variable must go! Pass this data via parameter.

this text was my last nitpick.
For hours I studied my code, my books,
got nice ideas for solving other nitpicks, but not for this one. Then I studied other SortNames help cries on this site, but nobody had problems similar to mine! Or so it seems.
The assignment says: "Load an ArrayList with Strings from a text file of names".
Well, I did this, right in the second line of code after my "public class SortNames.."
saying:

static ArrayList xyz = new ArrayList();  

Then I let the add() method of TextFileIn fill up this list.
Then the main method (and other) take care of sorting and printing the stuff.
If I have no ArrayList first thing, how can I fill it then??
WHAT parameter could pass it, and how??
Usually I always have SOME idea, but this time I feel like giving up on this.
A leeettle tiny hint would be highly apreciated.
Thank you, experienced folks.

[Matthew Phillips]

I think the concept is to write a method that you pass an ArrayList to, populate the ArrayList in that method and return the ArrayList.

[Barry Gaunt]

Hi Juliane, you said:

Then I let the add() method of TextFileIn fill up this list.

What add() method?
I think the static attribute could be your problem
-Barry

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

What if you make it a local variable rather than a class or member variable.

[Barry Gaunt]

I should have said we should not use a static in this case

[juliane gross]

thank you for your answers!
I'll try "my very best"
Juliane