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Lecture 16 - Method parameters and local variables

The document explains methods in programming, detailing their declaration within classes, parameters, and local variables. It provides examples of method syntax, including access modifiers, return types, and parameter lists, demonstrating how methods can be called and utilized. Additionally, it describes local variables, emphasizing their limited scope and temporary nature within methods.

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alfredjoso847
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6 views

Lecture 16 - Method parameters and local variables

The document explains methods in programming, detailing their declaration within classes, parameters, and local variables. It provides examples of method syntax, including access modifiers, return types, and parameter lists, demonstrating how methods can be called and utilized. Additionally, it describes local variables, emphasizing their limited scope and temporary nature within methods.

Uploaded by

alfredjoso847
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Methods

● A method is a block of code that performs a specific task and may or may not
return a value.
● Methods are declared within a class and can be called from other parts of the
program, either within the same class or from other classes.

public class Example {


public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(5, 10);
System.out.println("The sum of 5 and 10 is: " + result);
}

public static int sum(int a, int b) {


return a + b;
}
}

● In this example, we define a class called Example with a method called sum.
● The sum method takes two integer arguments and returns their sum.
● We then call the sum method within the main method and store the result in
a variable called result, which is printed to the console.
● Methods can be declared with a variety of modifiers to specify their access
level, return type, and other properties.
● The general syntax of methods with access modifiers:

accessModifier returnType methodName(parameterList) {


// method body
}

● accessModifier: Specifies the visibility of the method (e.g. public, private,


protected, or no modifier for package-level visibility).
● returnType: Specifies the type of value that the method returns, or void if the
method does not return a value.

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● methodName: The name of the method.
● parameterList: A comma-separated list of input parameters that the method
takes.

Parameters
● A parameter is a value that is passed into a method when it is called.
● Parameters are used to provide additional information to a method that is
necessary for it to perform its task.
● When defining a method, you can specify one or more parameters in the
method signature.
● The parameter list is enclosed in parentheses and can contain zero or more
parameter declarations, each of which is separated by a comma.
● For example, the following method signature declares two parameters, num1
and num2 of type int:

public void add(int num1, int num2) {


// method body
}

● When this method is called, you need to provide two arguments of type int
that will be assigned to the num1 and num2 parameters respectively.

add(2, 3);

● In this example, the add() method is called with two arguments: 2 and 3.
● The values of these arguments will be assigned to the num1 and num2
parameters respectively, and the method will execute its body using these
values.
● Parameters are used to make methods more flexible and reusable. By
accepting parameters, a method can work with different values without
having to be rewritten for each specific value.

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Local variables
● A local variable is a variable that is declared inside a block or method and is
only accessible within that block or method.
● Local variables have a limited scope, which means that they are only visible
and can be used within the block or method in which they are declared.
● Once the block or method is finished executing, the local variables are
destroyed and their values are no longer available.
● Local variables are declared with a data type and a name, and can be
initialized with an initial value or left uninitialized.
● Consider this example of a method with a local variable:

public void printNumber() {


int number = 42; // declare and initialize a local variable
System.out.println(number); // prints 42
}

● In this example, the number variable is declared inside the printNumber()


method and is assigned the value 42.
● It is then used to print the value to the console. Since number is a local
variable, it is only accessible within the printNumber() method.
● Local variables are useful for storing temporary or intermediate values within
a block or method.

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