Java Constructors
A constructor in Java is a special method that is used to initialize objects.
The constructor is called when an object of a class is created.
It can be used to set initial values for object attributes:
Example:
int x; // Create a class attribute
// Create a class constructor for the Main class
public Main() {
x = 5; // Set the initial value for the class attribute x
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Main myObj = new Main(); // Create an object of class Main (This will call the constructor)
System.out.println(myObj.x); // Print the value of x
}
}
// Outputs 5
Note that the constructor name must match the class name, and it cannot have a return type (like void).
Also note that the constructor is called when the object is created.
All classes have constructors by default: if you do not create a class constructor yourself, Java creates one for you. However, then you are not able to set initial values for object attributes.
Constructor Parameters :
Constructors can also take parameters, which is used to initialize attributes.
The following example adds an int y parameter to the constructor. Inside the constructor we set x to y (x=y). When we call the constructor, we pass a parameter to the constructor (5), which will set the value of x to 5:
Example ;
public class Main {
int x;
public Main(int y) {
x = y;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Main myObj = new Main(5);
System.out.println(myObj.x);
}
}
// Outputs 5