Random Flip Matrix in Java

Matrix manipulation is a fundamental aspect of computer science and programming. In Java, developers often encounter scenarios where they need to perform various operations on matrices. One interesting matrix operation is flipping, and introducing randomness to this operation can add a unique dimension to your code. In this section, we will explore how to implement a random flip matrix in Java, providing both a theoretical overview and practical implementation.

Matrix Flipping

Matrix flipping involves changing the arrangement of elements within a matrix along a specified axis. The two most common types of matrix flips are horizontal and vertical flips.

Horizontal Flip

In a horizontal flip, each row of the matrix is reversed.

For example, consider the following matrix:

2 3
5 6
8 9

After a horizontal flip, the matrix becomes:

8 9
5 6
2 3

Vertical Flip

In a vertical flip, each column of the matrix is reversed.

For example, consider the following matrix:

2 3
5 6
8 9

After a vertical flip, the matrix becomes:

2 1
5 4
8 7

Implementing Random Matrix Flipping in Java

Let's create a Java program that performs a random flip on a matrix. We will use a random number generator to decide whether to perform a horizontal or vertical flip.

File Name: RandomMatrixFlip.java

import java.util.Random;
public class RandomMatrixFlip {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int[][] matrix = {
            {1, 2, 3},
            {4, 5, 6},
            {7, 8, 9}
        };
        System.out.println("Original Matrix:");
        printMatrix(matrix);
        // Perform a random flip
        randomFlip(matrix);
        System.out.println("Matrix After Random Flip:");
        printMatrix(matrix);
    }
    public static void randomFlip(int[][] matrix) {
        Random random = new Random();
        boolean flipHorizontal = random.nextBoolean();
        if (flipHorizontal) {
            horizontalFlip(matrix);
        } else {
            verticalFlip(matrix);
        }
    }
    public static void horizontalFlip(int[][] matrix) {
        for (int i = 0; i < matrix.length; i++) {
            int start = 0;
            int end = matrix[i].length - 1;
            while (start < end) {
                int temp = matrix[i][start];
                matrix[i][start] = matrix[i][end];
                matrix[i][end] = temp;
                start++;
                end--;
            }
        }
    }
    public static void verticalFlip(int[][] matrix) {
        for (int i = 0; i < matrix.length / 2; i++) {
            int[] temp = matrix[i];
            matrix[i] = matrix[matrix.length - i - 1];
            matrix[matrix.length - i - 1] = temp;
        }
    }
    public static void printMatrix(int[][] matrix) {
        for (int[] row : matrix) {
            for (int value : row) {
                System.out.print(value + " ");
            }
            System.out.println();
        }
        System.out.println();
    }
}

Output 1:

Original Matrix:
1 2 3 
4 5 6 
7 8 9 

Matrix After Random Flip:
3 2 1 
6 5 4
9 8 7

Output 2:

Original Matrix:
1 2 3 
4 5 6 
7 8 9 

Matrix After Random Flip:
7 8 9 
4 5 6 
1 2 3

In the above output, we can clearly see that in the second run, we get the horizontal flip and in the first run we get the vertical flip.

Conclusion

In this section, we have explored the concept of matrix flipping and implemented a Java program that performs a random flip on a given matrix. It simple yet powerful operation can be useful in various applications, from image processing to game development. By incorporating randomness, we add an element of unpredictability to code, making it more versatile and engaging. Feel free to adapt and expand upon this implementation based on specific requirements.

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