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Java Methods

The document discusses defining and calling methods in Java. It explains that a method allows code to be reused by grouping statements together to perform a specific function. Methods take parameters and may return a value. Defining a method involves specifying its signature, body, return type, and parameters. Calling a method involves passing arguments for its parameters and executing its code.

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39 views29 pages

Java Methods

The document discusses defining and calling methods in Java. It explains that a method allows code to be reused by grouping statements together to perform a specific function. Methods take parameters and may return a value. Defining a method involves specifying its signature, body, return type, and parameters. Calling a method involves passing arguments for its parameters and executing its code.

Uploaded by

Dzul Ishak
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 2 Methods

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

Motivations
A method is a construct for grouping statements together to
perform a function. Using a method, you can write the
code once for performing the function in a program and
reuse it by many other programs. For example, often you
need to find the maximum between two numbers.
Whenever you need this function, you would have to write
the following code:
int result;
if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
else
result = num2;

If you define this function for finding a


maximum number between any two
numbers in a method, you dont have to
repeatedly write the same code. You
need to define it just once and reuse it
by any other programs.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

Objectives

To define methods, invoke methods, and pass arguments to a


method.
To develop reusable code that is modular, easy-to-read, easy-todebug, and easy-to-maintain.
To determine the scope of variables.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

Defining Methods
A method is a collection of statements that are
grouped together to perform an operation.
Define a method
modifier
method
header

return value
type

Invoke a method
method
name

formal
parameters

int z = max(x, y);


public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
actual parameters
(arguments)

int result;

method
body

if (num1 > num2)


result = num1;
else
result = num2;
}

return result;

parameter list

method
signature
return value

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

Method Signature
Method signature is the combination of the method name and the
parameter list.
Define a method
modifier
method
header

return value
type

Invoke a method
method
name

formal
parameters

int z = max(x, y);


public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
actual parameters
(arguments)

int result;

method
body

if (num1 > num2)


result = num1;
else
result = num2;
}

return result;

parameter list

method
signature
return value

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

Formal Parameters
The variables defined in the method header are known as
formal parameters.
Define a method
modifier
method
header

return value
type

Invoke a method
method
name

formal
parameters

int z = max(x, y);


public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
actual parameters
(arguments)

int result;

method
body

if (num1 > num2)


result = num1;
else
result = num2;
}

return result;

parameter list

method
signature
return value

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

Actual Parameters
When a method is invoked, you pass a value to the parameter. This
value is referred to as actual parameter or argument.
Define a method
modifier
method
header

return value
type

Invoke a method
method
name

formal
parameters

int z = max(x, y);


public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
actual parameters
(arguments)

int result;

method
body

if (num1 > num2)


result = num1;
else
result = num2;
}

return result;

parameter list

method
signature
return value

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

Return Value Type


A method may return a value. The returnValueType is the data type
of the value the method returns. If the method does not return a
value, the returnValueType is the keyword void. For example, the
returnValueType in the main method is void.
Define a method
modifier
method
header

return value
type

Invoke a method
method
name

formal
parameters

int z = max(x, y);


public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
actual parameters
(arguments)

int result;

method
body

if (num1 > num2)


result = num1;
else
result = num2;
}

return result;

parameter list

method
signature
return value

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

Calling Methods
Listing 2.1 Testing the max method
This program demonstrates calling a method max
to return the largest of the int values

TestMax

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

animation

Calling Methods, cont.


pass the value of i

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

pass the value of j

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

10

animation

Trace Method Invocation


i is now 5

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

11

animation

Trace Method Invocation


j is now 2

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

12

animation

Trace Method Invocation


invoke max(i, j)

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

13

animation

Trace Method Invocation


invoke max(i, j)
Pass the value of i to num1
Pass the value of j to num2

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

14

animation

Trace Method Invocation


declare variable result

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

15

animation

Trace Method Invocation


(num1 > num2) is true since
num1 is 5 and num2 is 2

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

16

animation

Trace Method Invocation


result is now 5

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

17

animation

Trace Method Invocation


return result, which is 5

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

18

animation

Trace Method Invocation


return max(i, j) and assign the
return value to k

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

19

animation

Trace Method Invocation


Execute the print statement

publicstaticvoidmain(String[]args){
inti=5;
intj=2;
intk=max(i,j);

System.out.println(
"Themaximumbetween"+i+
"and"+j+"is"+k);
}

publicstaticintmax(intnum1,intnum2){
intresult;

if(num1>num2)
result=num1;
else
result=num2;

returnresult;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

20

CAUTION
A return statement is required for a value-returning method. The
method shown below in (a) is logically correct, but it has a
compilation error because the Java compiler thinks it possible that
this method does not return any value.
public static int sign(int n) {
if (n > 0)
return 1;
else if (n == 0)
return 0;
else if (n < 0)
return 1;
}
(a)

Should be

public static int sign(int n) {


if (n > 0)
return 1;
else if (n == 0)
return 0;
else
return 1;
}
(b)

To fix this problem, delete if (n < 0) in (a), so that the compiler will
see a return statement to be reached regardless of how the if
statement is evaluated.
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

21

Reuse Methods from Other Classes


NOTE: One of the benefits of methods is for reuse. The max
method can be invoked from any class besides TestMax. If
you create a new class Test, you can invoke the max method
using ClassName.methodName (e.g., TestMax.max).

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

22

void Method Example


This type of method does not return a value. The method
performs some actions.

TestVoidMethod

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

23

Scope of Local Variables


A local variable: a variable defined inside a
method.
Scope: the part of the program where the
variable can be referenced.
The scope of a local variable starts from its
declaration and continues to the end of the
block that contains the variable. A local
variable must be declared before it can be
used.
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

24

Scope of Local Variables, cont.


You can declare a local variable with the
same name multiple times in different nonnesting blocks in a method, but you cannot
declare a local variable twice in nested
blocks.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

25

Scope of Local Variables, cont.


A variable declared in the initial action part of a for loop
header has its scope in the entire loop. But a variable
declared inside a for loop body has its scope limited in the
loop body from its declaration and to the end of the block
that contains the variable.

The scope of i
The scope of j

public static void method1() {


.
.
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
.
.
int j;
.
.
.
}
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

26

Scope of Local Variables, cont.


Itisfinetodeclareiintwo
nonnestingblocks

publicstaticvoidmethod1(){
intx=1;
inty=1;

for(inti=1;i<10;i++){
x+=i;
}

for(inti=1;i<10;i++){
y+=i;
}
}

Itiswrongtodeclareiin
twonestingblocks

publicstaticvoidmethod2(){

inti=1;
intsum=0;

for(inti=1;i<10;i++){
sum+=i;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

27

Scope of Local Variables, cont.


// Fine with no errors
public static void correctMethod() {
int x = 1;
int y = 1;
// i is declared
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
x += i;
}
// i is declared again
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
y += i;
}
}
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

28

Scope of Local Variables, cont.


// With no errors
public static void incorrectMethod() {
int x = 1;
int y = 1;
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
int x = 0;
x += i;
}
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Seventh Edition, (c) 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. All
rights reserved. 0136012671

29

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