posted 17 years ago
It means the variable v cannot be modified later to point to a different Vector. This is nice documentation to tell readers you don't intend to change the variable, a useful tip to the compiler that may let it generate more efficient code, and necessary for some inner classes to access the variable.
Note that the variable will always reference the same Vector, but we can still change the Vector itself by adding and removing items.
A good question is never answered. It is not a bolt to be tightened into place but a seed to be planted and to bear more seed toward the hope of greening the landscape of the idea. John Ciardi