java - How can I invoke this method with an array? Is it possible to do? -

i've been given array use within class assignment.

/**  * compacthand - method supplied you!  * re-order array cards occupy indices, i.e. 0,1,2,...  * , nulls in higher indices.   * count number of cards in array , set ncard accordingly.  * example: if array [kclub][null][2diamond][null][7spade]  * routine sets array [kclub][2diamond][7spade][null][null] , sets ncard 3.  * note relative order of cards not changed.  */ private void compacthand(){     int nc=0, ix=0, nullix=-1;     // find first null     do{         if (cards[ix]==null){             nullix = ix;             break;         }     } while (++ix<cards.length);     if (nullix==-1){         // there no nulls.  set ncards , return.         ncard = cards.length;         return;     }     nc = nullix;     // loop end of array , swap cards nulls     for(ix=nullix; ix<cards.length; ix++)         if (!(cards[ix]==null)){             cards[nullix++] = cards[ix];             cards[ix] = null;             nc++;         }     ncard = nc;  } 

i've completed majority of assignment, 1 of methods need invoke within on array named cards. i've tried invoking using:

cards.compacthand(); 

the method doesn't accept arrays argument, in method need complete, instructions state use it.

/**  * delete cards @ specified indices , compact array.  * if indices not correspond cards array must unchanged  *   , member returns false.  * otherwise specified cards deleted, array compacted , true returned.  * @param index index of array element delete  * @return true if elements deleted, false if none deleted.  */ 

the method marked private, can access since it's in same class.

any appreciated.

the cards array should instance variable in class. instance variables declared outside methods of class, @ beginning of it. these can called method of class. this answer has examples instance variables.