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Java this Keyword

In this chapter you will learn:

  1. What is Java this keyword for
  2. How to use this keyword to reference class member variables
  3. How to reference class member variables
  4. Example - use this to reference instance variable

Description

this refers to the current object.

this can be used inside any method to refer to the current object.

Syntax

The following code shows how to use this keyword. 


// A use of this. /*from ww w.java 2  s . co m*/
Rectangle(double w, double h) { 
    this.width = w; // this is used here
    this.height = h; 
}

Hidden instance variables and this

Use this to reference the hidden instance variables.

Member variables and method parameters may have the same name. Under this situation we can use this to reference the member variables. 


Rectangle(double width, double height) { 
    this.width = width; 
    this.height = height; 
}

Example

The following example shows how to use this to reference instance variable.


class Person{/*from   w  w w.j a v  a 2 s .c  om*/
    private String name;


    public Person(String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }
    public String getName() {
        return name;
    }
    public void setName(String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }
}
public class Main{
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Person person = new Person("Java");
        System.out.println(person.getName());
        person.setName("new name");
        System.out.println(person.getName());
    }
}

The code above generates the following result.

Next chapter...

What you will learn in the next chapter:

  1. How to declare a static method and use it
  2. Syntax for static keyword
  3. Restrictions for Java static keyword
  4. Example - static methods
  5. Example - static variables
  6. How to use static initialization block
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