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Java Java Objects Meet Objects Constructors

Posted by Fernando Secchi
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Fernando Secchi
Java Web Development Techdegree Student 1,147 Points

Clause this. in the return statement

If we are using this to refer to the private statement, don't we have to use it in this block of code?:

public String getCharacterName() { return characterName; }

public String getCharacterName() { return this.characterName; }

1 Answer

Craig Dennis
STAFF
Craig Dennis
Treehouse Teacher
Craig Dennis
Craig Dennis
Treehouse Teacher

Great question Fernando Secchi !

this is always assumed and only required to be more specific. For instance:

public class Example {
   private String item;

   public String getItem() {
       // Not needed here because it is the only item in scope
       return item;
   }

   public void setItem(String item) {
         // Needed here to show that difference between the item passed in through the argument
        this.item = item
    }
}

Make sense?

Alex Dewey
Alex Dewey
5,944 Points

Amazing

Had this exact thought