java - How do you make variables made inside a method available to all other methods in a class? -

i'm coding newb , want learn more java. i'm taking introductory programming course in high school , trying play around outside of class. program i'm creating supposed print out few instructions , questions in console, want retrieve user input using scanner , variable. goal of program user able create 'drawing' based on pure instinct, drawing displayed after fact.

here's problem. i'm asking user , storing information in variables native main method, need use information in paintcomponent method.

i tried adding static in front of variable such as: static int emptyrectw1 = kboard.nextint(); shows error "illegal modifier parametic emptyrectw1; final permitted."

i knew long shot trying out, that's best i've got.

i'm using java eclipse ide. help, looks way learn mess , have else point out mistake! :)

here's code:

import java.util.scanner; import java.awt.graphics; import java.awt.color; import java.awt.container; import javax.swing.jframe; import javax.swing.jpanel;  public class blinddrawing extends jpanel {     public static void main (string[] args) {         scanner kboard = new scanner(system.in);         system.out.println("welcome blind drawing game!");         system.out.println("in game, asked questions how construct image using rectangles , ovals. asked shape's dimensions , position. origin (0,0) top left corner.");         system.out.println("first you're making empty rectangle, how wide want be?");         int emptyrectw1 = kboard.nextint();         system.out.println("what height?");         int emptyrecth1 = kboard.nextint();      }     public void paintcomponent(graphics g) {         super.paintcomponent(g);         g.drawrect(0,0,emptyrectw1, emptyrecth1);     } } 

actually, variable declared inside method local variable.

please extend scope of the 2 variables before main method. see code below.

static int emptyrectw1, emptyrecth1; public static void main (string[] args) { 

then manipulate latter code avoid duplicate variable declaration shown below.

    emptyrectw1 = kboard.nextint();     system.out.println("what height?");     emptyrecth1 = kboard.nextint(); 

i hope helps.