public boolean setField(int maxField, int nodeID, int eventType,
                            int startTime, int endTime) {
        // need to subtract by 1 since array starts at 0.
        if (nodeID > 0) {
            NODE_ID = nodeID - 1;
        } else 
        	throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid node id field.");
        

        // get the max. number of field
        if (maxField > 0) {
            MAX_FIELD = maxField;
        } else {
        	throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid max. number of field.");
        }

        // get the event type field
        if (eventType > 0) {
            EVENT_TYPE = eventType - 1;
        } else {
        	throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid event type field.");
        }

        // get the start time field
        if (startTime > 0) {
            START_TIME = startTime - 1;
        } else {
        	throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid start time field.");
        }

        // get the end time field
        if (endTime > 0) {
            END_TIME = endTime - 1;
        } else {
        	throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid end time field.");
        }

        return true;
    }