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Doubt regarding private contructors

 
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hi,
this is a question that i came across in a mock test (source: www.jchq.net)..i am not able to understand why this code results in a compiler error..it states that since the constructor of the class Vict() is marked private, that couldnt be instantiated from outside classes. But then,I couldnt see any instantiation of class Vict in any outside classes..
according to me the answer should be "BLBeck".. Can anyone please advice and also let me know if my understanding is wrong?






Incorrect options are shown by strikethrough, any options you chose are marked by a tick
1 Compilation and output of "BLBeck"
2 Compilation and output of "BLBeckVict"
3 Compilation and output of "VictBLBeck"
4 Compile time error
You selected 1 option
The Correct Answer is
4) Compile time error
Note that the constructor for Vict is marked as private. A constructor can be marked as private, however if this is done an instance cannot be created from outside of that class via that constructor

Thanks in advance,
naveen

"Its the attitude and not the aptitude that determines the altitude!"

[Jesper Young: Fixed code tags]
[ July 14, 2008: Message edited by: Jesper Young ]
 
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But then,I couldnt see any instantiation of class Vict in any outside classes..



Correct, you couldn't see the instantiation of class Vict, but when you instantiate a derived class BLBeck , its constructor gets called, which , in turn, calls its super class constructor and so on ,

SO , when as the constructor of "base" Vict class is private , you cant instantiate it , OR in other words you cant make an object of its derived class ,(without, explicitly calling its any non private constructor)!!

I am still learning this language, so any fellow ranchers ll explain in great details,

HTH,
 
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As Sagar mentioned, the problem is that in the BLBeck constructor, an implicit call to super is being made, but since the super constructor Vict() is not visible, to avoid a compilation error, you must either make it visible by changing its access control level to default, protected or public, OR by explicitly invoking another constructor.

Mihai Fonoage
 
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Hello,

As Sagar and Mihai already stated...

An inherited class(sub class) always call the constructor of your super class. If you dont call it explicit, will be called implicit.

Having these classes:



Since we only have a private constructor in the super class (Vict) your sub class (BLBeck) will try to call implicit the constructor of your superclass, it should look like it:



So, since we will have a implicit call to the Vict constructor, and BLBeck cant see any constructors, it will give you a present, a compile time error.

I hope i could clarify your doubt, if not. Feel free to say and i'll try to make the point better.

Raphael Rabadan.
[ July 14, 2008: Message edited by: Raphael Rabadan ]
 
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that was a nice suggestion by Mihai. Thanks!

The following code runs well without any errors. The modifications are commeted.

 
Naveen Kumar G
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all, thanks a lot for your reply...


Raphael, sorry to disturb you again.. I understood the point that an implicit call to the base class constructor will be made by the sub class contructor during the compile time (using super()).


code:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

// BLBeck constructorBLBeck() { super(); // this line will be add implicitly.System.out.print("BLBeck");} // Vict consctructorprivate Vict() { super(); // Here we also have a implicit call to the super class constructor, Object's one.System.out.print("Vict");}

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But what is the purpose behind one more implicit call to the super class constructor, using super(), inside the base class constructor Vict() also?
In the comments, you have mentioned "...,Object's one".
Does it mean that this call is made by the compiler in order to initialize the instance variables,if any, of the Vict class?


Also, regarding the modified code provided by Milan, will the compiler implicitly insert the code "super();" in both the constructors of the Vict class?

Again, I thank everyone for answering my post with clear explanations!!!

regards,
naveen

"Its the attitude and not the aptitude that determines the altitude!"
 
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Hi Rancher ,

with constructors you can use private.
It is used for generally Singleton classes. This class should have
a static class which return the object of that class.

<blockquote>code:
<pre name="code" class="core">
class Vict{
private static Vict v = new Vict();

private Vict(){
}

public static Vict getInstance(){
return v ;
}
}

class VictTest{
public static void main(String ... args){
Vict objVict = Vict.getInstance();
}
}

</pre>
</blockquote>
It is one use to declare constructor private.
I hope this will help you.
 
Sagar Rohankar
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Originally posted by Naveen Kumar G:

Does it mean that this call is made by the compiler in order to initialize the instance variables,if any, of the Vict class?
Yes, you can say this,


Also, regarding the modified code provided by Milan, will the compiler implicitly insert the code "super();" in both the constructors of the Vict class?

Yes, compiler implicitly calls to super class default constructor using super()

 
Naveen Kumar G
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with constructors you can use private.
It is used for generally Singleton classes. This class should have
a static class which return the object of that class.


Madhukar,
Thanks for your explanation. It was very helpful..

Sagar,
okay, thanks for your reply..
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