Home > Articles

Declarations

This chapter is from the book

3.3 Constructors

The main purpose of constructors is to set the initial state of an object, when the object is created by using the new operator.

For the purpose of this book, we will use the following simplified syntax of a constructor:

accessibility_modifier class_name (formal_parameter_list)
                                                           throws_clause  // Constructor header
{ // Constructor body
          local_variable_declarations
          statements
}

Constructor declarations are very much like method declarations. However, the following restrictions on constructors should be noted:

  • Modifiers other than an accessibility modifier are not permitted in the constructor header. For accessibility modifiers for constructors, see §4.7, p. 123.

  • Constructors cannot return a value and, therefore, do not specify a return type, not even void, in the constructor header. But their declaration can use the return statement that does not return a value in the constructor body (§6.4, p. 224).

  • The constructor name must be the same as the class name.

Class names and method names exist in different namespaces. Thus, there are no name conflicts in Example 3.2, where a method declared at (2) has the same name as the constructor declared at (1). A method must always specify a return type, whereas a constructor does not. However, using such naming schemes is strongly discouraged.

A constructor that has no parameters, like the one at (1) in Example 3.2, is called a no-argument constructor.

Example 3.2 Namespaces

public class Name {

  Name() {                      // (1) No-argument constructor
    System.out.println("Constructor");
  }

  void Name() {                 // (2) Instance method
    System.out.println("Method");
  }

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    new Name().Name();          // (3) Constructor call followed by method call
  }
}

Output from the program:

Constructor
Method

The Default Constructor

If a class does not specify any constructors, then a default constructor is generated for the class by the compiler. The default constructor is equivalent to the following implementation:

class_name() { super(); }   // No parameters. Calls superclass constructor.

A default constructor is a no-argument constructor. The only action taken by the default constructor is to call the superclass constructor. This ensures that the inherited state of the object is initialized properly (§7.5, p. 282). In addition, all instance variables in the object are set to the default value of their type, barring those that are initialized by an initialization expression in their declaration.

In the following code, the class Light does not specify any constructors:

class Light {
  // Fields:
  int     noOfWatts;       // Wattage
  boolean indicator;       // On or off
  String  location;        // Placement
  // No constructors
  //...
}

class Greenhouse {
  // ...
  Light oneLight = new Light();     // (1) Call to default constructor
}

In this code, the following default constructor is called when a Light object is created by the object creation expression at (1):

Light() { super(); }

Creating an object using the new operator with the default constructor, as at (1), will initialize the fields of the object to their default values (that is, the fields noOfWatts, indicator, and location in a Light object will be initialized to 0, false, and null, respectively).

A class can choose to provide its own constructors, rather than relying on the default constructor. In the following example, the class Light provides a no-argument constructor at (1).

class Light {
  // ...
  Light() {                        // (1) No-argument constructor
    noOfWatts = 50;
    indicator = true;
    location  = "X";
  }
  //...
}

class Greenhouse {
  // ...
  Light extraLight = new Light();   // (2) Call of explicit default constructor
}

The no-argument constructor ensures that any object created with the object creation expression new Light(), as at (2), will have its fields noOfWatts, indicator, and location initialized to 50, true, and "X", respectively.

If a class defines any constructor, it can no longer rely on the default constructor to set the state of its objects. If such a class requires a no-argument constructor, it must provide its own implementation, as in the preceding example. In the next example the class Light does not provide a no-argument constructor, but rather includes a non-zero argument constructor at (1). It is called at (2) when an object of the class Light is created with the new operator. Any attempt to call the default constructor will be flagged as a compile-time error, as shown at (3).

class Light {
  // ...
  // Only non-zero argument constructor:
  Light(int noOfWatts, boolean indicator, String location) {          // (1)
    this.noOfWatts = noOfWatts;
    this.indicator = indicator;
    this.location  = location;
  }
  //...
}

class Greenhouse {
  // ...
  Light moreLight  = new Light(100, true, "Greenhouse");// (2) OK
  Light firstLight = new Light();                       // (3) Compile-time error
}

Overloaded Constructors

Like methods, constructors can be overloaded. Since the constructors in a class all have the same name as the class, their signatures are differentiated by their parameter lists. In the following example, the class Light now provides explicit implementation of the no-argument constructor at (1) and that of a non-zero argument constructor at (2). The constructors are overloaded, as is evident by their signatures. The non-zero argument constructor at (2) is called when an object of the class Light is created at (3), and the no-argument constructor is likewise called at (4). Overloading of constructors allows appropriate initialization of objects on creation, depending on the constructor invoked (see chaining of constructors in §7.5, p. 282). It is recommended to use the @param tag in a Javadoc comment to document the formal parameters of a constructor.

class Light {
  // ...
  // No-argument constructor:
  Light() {                                                  // (1)
    noOfWatts = 50;
    indicator = true;
    location  = "X";
  }

  // Non-zero argument constructor:
  Light(int noOfWatts, boolean indicator, String location) { // (2)
    this.noOfWatts = noOfWatts;
    this.indicator = indicator;
    this.location  = location;
  }
  //...
}

class Greenhouse {
  // ...
  Light moreLight  = new Light(100, true, "Greenhouse");     // (3) OK
  Light firstLight = new Light();                            // (4) OK
}

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020