java - How to get a program to continue reading input after if statements are fulfilled (Morse Translator) -

before begin, novice programmer having been doing day.

how program continue reading input after input has been fulfilled? below code, morse code english translator trying make, when input morse, example .-, gives me correct output, a. when combine morse letters, example .--..., should ab, else statement activates. should do?

import java.util.scanner; 

public class morsetranslator {

public static void main(string[] args) {       system.out.println("please enter morse code wish translate.");      scanner sc =new scanner(system.in);      string morse = sc.next();         if (morse.equals(" ")) {          system.out.print(" ");         }      if (morse.equals(".-")){          system.out.print("a");         }      if (morse.equals("-...")){          system.out.print("b");         }      if (morse.equals("-.-.")){          system.out.print("c");         }      if (morse.equals("-..")){          system.out.print("d");         }      if (morse.equals(".")){          system.out.print("e");         }      if (morse.equals("..-.")){          system.out.print("f");         }        else system.out.println("please input morse code.");  } 

}

string.equals() compares complete strings, .--... never equals .- , need 'look for' inside morse string, using string.indexof()

 if(morse.indexof(".-")!=-1){     system.out.print("a");     //need more magic here  } 

now need 'substract' or takeout 2 characters morse string, , repeat searching loop.

 if(morse.indexof(".-")!=-1){     system.out.print("a");     morse=morse.substring(morse.indexof(".-")+2); // 2 morse characters     continue; //your hypothetical loop  }  if(morse.indexof("-...")!=-1){     system.out.print("b");     morse=morse.substring(morse.indexof("-...")+4); // 4 morse characters     continue; //your hypothetical loop  }  ... 

don't forget loop until there's no more data process