import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Collections;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Random;
/**
A standard deck of 52 playing cards consists of four suits:
spades (♠), hearts (♥), diamonds (♦), and clubs (♣).
Each suit contains 13 ranks:
Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.
Cards of spades and clubs are black, while hearts and diamonds are red.
Color is informational only — it does not affect shuffling or random selection.
*/
/**
This program picks 5 random cards from a standard 52‑card deck.
It uses:
- ArrayList<String> to store the deck
- Collections.shuffle for efficient randomization
- Random for high‑quality randomness
Algorithm:
1. Build the deck (52 strings).
2. Shuffle using Collections.shuffle.
3. Print the first 5 cards.
*/
public class RandomCards {
// Build a full 52‑card deck
public static List<String> buildDeck() {
String[] ranks = {
"2","3","4","5","6","7","8","9","10","J","Q","K","A"
};
String[] suits = {
"Clubs", "Diamonds", "Hearts", "Spades"
};
List<String> deck = new ArrayList<>(52);
// Combine each rank with each suit → 52 unique cards
for (String suit : suits) {
for (String rank : ranks) {
deck.add(rank + " of " + suit);
}
}
return deck;
}
// Shuffle the deck using Java's built‑in shuffle
public static void shuffleDeck(List<String> deck) {
Random rng = new Random(); // Seeds automatically using system time
Collections.shuffle(deck, rng);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Step 1: Build the deck
List<String> deck = buildDeck();
// Step 2: Shuffle the deck
shuffleDeck(deck);
// Step 3: Draw the first 5 cards
System.out.println("Your 5 random cards:");
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
System.out.println(deck.get(i));
}
}
}
/*
run:
Your 5 random cards:
7 of Spades
2 of Hearts
K of Hearts
9 of Hearts
J of Spades
*/
