When do we use the next() and nextLength() methods?

The next() and nextLine() methods are both part of the Scanner class in Java and are used for reading input from users, but they serve slightly different purposes:

• next(): It reads the next token (word) from the input, stopping at whitespace (spaces, tabs, or newlines).
  
  For example, if the user inputs Maria Smith, calling next() would only return Maria on the first call and Smith on the second call.

• nextLine(): It reads the entire line of input until it hits a newline character (when the user presses Enter).
  
  So in the case of the same input Maria Smith, calling nextLine() would return Maria Smith all at once.

As highlighted in your lesson, it's recommended to use nextLine() when you want to capture full inputs that may consist of multiple words, like names or sentences, without worrying about spaces.

This is particularly useful in scenarios where the input contains spaces, and you want to ensure you capture everything as a single string.

If you have any more questions about these methods or anything else, feel free to ask! Hope this helps!