Java Reference
In-Depth Information
To declare a native method, precede the method with the
native
modifier, but do not
define any body for the method. For example:
Once you have declared a native method, you must provide the native method and follow a
rather complex series of steps in order to link it with your Java code.
Ask the Expert
Q
:
While we are on the subject of keywords, I have a question about
this.
I have oc-
casionally noticed a form of
this
that takes parentheses. For example
,
Can you tell me what this does?
A
:
The form of
this
that you refer to enables one constructor to invoke another con-
structor within the same class. The general form of this use of
this
is shown here:
this(
arg-list
)
When
this( )
is executed, the overloaded constructor that matches the parameter list
specified by
arg-list
is executed first. Then, if there are any statements inside the original
constructor, they are executed. The call to
this( )
must be the first statement within the
constructor. Here is a simple example:
