title: How to fix my Java code for validating variables?
body: <p>I'm currently doing a project in my computer science class and we are suppose to validate <strong>each</strong> character of a variable to see if it is legal or not. If it starts with a number it's illegal. If it starts with a special character it's legal but bad style. If it has a space it is again illegal. I'll post my current code now: </p>
  
  <pre><code>import java.util.Scanner;
  
  public class classOfValidation {
  
      public static void main(String[] args) {    
          Scanner scan = new Scanner(System.in);    
          String theVariable = null;
  
          System.out.println("This program checks the validity of variables");    
          System.out.println("Please enter a variable (or press 'q' to quit");
  
          theVariable = scan.nextLine();
  
          do {        
              System.out.println("The variable is illegal");    
              theVariable = scan.nextLine();    
          } while (theVariable.startsWith("[0123456789]"));
  
          do {    
              System.out.println("The variable is illegal");    
              theVariable = scan.nextLine();    
          } while (theVariable.contains("[ ]"));
  
          do {    
              System.out.println("The variable is legal, but has bad style");    
              theVariable = scan.nextLine();    
          } while (theVariable.startsWith("[!@#$%^&amp;*]"));         
      }    
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>If you couldn't already tell i'm new to programming and as confused as i possibly could be. If you have any advice or anything else you need me to explain then please leave a comment. Thanks everyone</p>