Possible loss of precision / [type] cannot be dereferenced

Question

I have been looking around a lot but i simply can't find a nice solution to this...

Point mouse = MouseInfo.getPointerInfo().getLocation();

int dx = (BULLET_SPEED*Math.abs(x - mouse.getX()))/
                    (Math.abs(y - mouse.getY()) + Math.abs(x - mouse.getX()))*
                    (x - mouse.getX())/Math.abs(x - mouse.getX());

In this constellation i get: Possible loss of precision, when i change e.g (x - mouse.getX()) to (x - mouse.getX()).doubleValue() it says double cannot be dereferenced, when i add intValue() somewhere it says int cannot be dereferenced. What's my mistake?

[x, y are integers | BULLET_SPEED is a static final int]

Thanks!

Answer 1

Just cast with (int)

int i = (int) 3.14159; // compiles fine

This will not avoid any loss of precision, but it makes explicit to the compiler that it's what you want, so the code would compile.

Do keep in mind where casting sits in the precedence.

int i = (int) .1D + .1D; // doesn't compile!!!
int j = (int) (.1D + .1D); // compiles fine

Related questions

• How to cast a double to an int in Java?

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On dereferencing errors

Primitives are not objects; they have no members.

    Integer ii = 42; // autoboxing
    int i = ii.intValue(); // compiles fine
    int j = i.intValue(); // doesn't compile

See also

• Java Nuts and Bolts/Primitive Data Types
• Java language guide/Autoboxing

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So in this specific case, you can do the following:

int dx = (int) (BULLET_SPEED*Math.abs(x - mouse.getX()))/
                (Math.abs(y - mouse.getY()) + Math.abs(x - mouse.getX()))*
                (x - mouse.getX())/Math.abs(x - mouse.getX());

Answer 2

I'd store x, y and BULLET_SPEED as double, perform all the arithmetic in double and then cast to int as a final step.