Description

get the last character of a string java ?

# How to Get the Last Character of a String in Java

In Java, retrieving the last character of a string is a common requirement, especially when dealing with user input, file extensions, or any scenario where string manipulation is necessary. Here, we will discuss and explore several methods to achieve this task, leveraging the extensive utilities provided in the Java language.

## Method 1: Using `charAt()`
The simplest and most straightforward approach is to use the `charAt(index)` method of the `String` class.

### Basic Usage:
If you have a string, you can get the last character by passing the string length minus one as an argument to `charAt()`.

“`java
String str = “CsharpCorner”;
char lastChar = str.charAt(str.length() – 1);
System.out.println(“Last character: ” + lastChar); // Output: Last character: r
“`

This method is efficient and easy to understand, making it ideal for most use cases.

## Method 2: Using `substring()`
Another approach is to use the `substring(startIndex, endIndex)` method.

### Basic Usage:
To get the last character, you can use `substring()` with `length() – 1` as the start index, as shown:

“`java
String str = “CsharpCorner”;
String lastChar = str.substring(str.length() – 1);
System.out.println(“Last character: ” + lastChar); // Output: Last character: r
“`

Note that `substring()` returns a string, not a `char`.

## Method 3: Custom Method for Last ‘n’ Characters
For scenarios where you need more than just the last character, a custom method can be helpful to get the last ‘n’ characters of a string.

### Method to Get Last n Characters:
“`java
public static String getLastNChars(String s, int n) {
if (s == null || s.length() == 0 || n <= 0) {
return "";
}
int endIndex = Math.min(s.length(), n);
return s.substring(s.length() – endIndex);
}
“`

### Usage:
“`java
String str = "Hello, World!";
String lastThreeChars = getLastNChars(str, 3);
System.out.println("Last 3 characters: " + lastThreeChars); // Output: Last 3 characters: rld
“`

## Method 4: Validation Before Accessing the Last Character
Before accessing the last character, it's good practice to ensure the string is not `null` or empty to avoid `StringIndexOutOfBoundsException`.

### Example Code:
“`java
public static String getLastCharSafely(String s) {
return (s == null || s.isEmpty()) ? "" : "" + s.charAt(s.length() – 1);
}
“`

### Usage:
“`java
String str1 = "Java";
String str2 = "";
String str3 = null;

System.out.println(getLastCharSafely(str1)); // Output: a
System.out.println(getLastCharSafely(str2)); // Output:
System.out.println(getLastCharSafely(str3)); // Output:
“`

## Additional Resources
For deeper insights or alternative methods, consider referring to the following resources:
1. [C# Corner](https://www.c-sharpcorner.com/article/how-can-i-get-last-characters-of-a-string-in-java/)
2. [Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5163785/how-do-i-get-the-last-character-of-a-string)
3. [TutorialKart](https://www.tutorialkart.com/java/how-to-get-last-character-from-string-in-java/)
4. [DelftStack](https://www.delftstack.com/howto/java/java-last-character-of-string)
5. [Reactgo](https://reactgo.com/java-get-last-character-string/)
6. [GeeksforGeeks](https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-find-the-first-and-last-character-of-a-string-in-java/)
7. [iDitect](https://iditect.com/notebook/java-takes-the-last-character-of-a-stringabout-java-how-to-get-the-last-character-of-a-string.html)
8. [Javatpoint](https://www.javatpoint.com/how-to-remove-last-character-from-string-in-java)
9. [DekGenius](https://dekgenius.com/script-code-example/java_example_java-get-last-char-of-string.html)

## Conclusion
These methods provide various ways to access the last character of a string in Java, offering flexibility depending on your specific requirements. Whether you're working on a simple script or a complex application, understanding the nuances of handling strings in Java is a valuable skill.

For those looking to learn more about Java programming and string manipulation, these resources can be very helpful. Always remember to validate strings appropriately to prevent runtime errors in your applications. Happy coding!

Feel free to share your insights or methods you use in the comments if you've come across other creative ways to handle this task in Java.