Java Applet Array Problem

[Me]

I am writing the program we have to make for my exam, and I am trying to clear an array, and java is being ... dumb.

The array name is squares. I tried this ...

squares = {"","","","",""};

and it gives me an error. When I defined it, I put ...

public String[] squares = {"","","","",""};

and it loaded fine. The only way it seems to work is if I do this:

squares = new String[5];
squares[0] = "";
squares[1] = "";
squares[2] = "";
squares[3] = "";
squares[4] = "";

Does anyone know a shorter way to do it? I don't get why my other method of doing it won't work.

[chemdude]

Well, since you're using a regular array, and not a collection, the fastest way would probably to just use a for() loop with the squares[x] = "" method you got working.