problem with local array statement

[AKINLEYE ADEDAMOLA]

quoting for K&B
page 200

"The array object itself, however, will not
be initialized if it's declared locally. In other words, you must explicitly initialize an
array reference if it's declared and used within a method"

when i type the code
public class te
{
static harsh []d;
public static void main(String []args)
{
harsh[] c = new harsh[10];
for(Object a : c)
System.out.print(a);

}

}
where harsh is a class i already have on my hard-disk. I Agree that it print null but does it not contrast what K&B said

[Brij Garg]

I dont think this thing is in contrast to what is written in buk.

You check once again your example.
You are explicitly initializing array in main method.
[ September 09, 2008: Message edited by: bittoo garg ]

[Ankit Garg]

What the book meant was this

class A
{
    static int[] arrClass;    //will be set to null
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        int[] arrLocal;       //will not be set to null
        arrClass[0] = 10;     //OK at compile time
        arrLocal[0] = 20;     //Compilation error
    }
}

the second statement will not compile because arrLocal will not be set to null. But arrays created at class level will be set to null. Whether you create an array in a class or method, it's elements will always be set to null after you intialize the array with = new type[size];

[AKINLEYE ADEDAMOLA]

thank you very much anit i guess where i missed it was i thought when you populate the array then you have intialized it i didn't know using new []<type> was also intialization

[Ankit Garg]

Originally posted by AKINLEYE ADEDAMOLA:
thank you very much anit i guess where i missed it was i thought when you populate the array then you have intialized it i didn't know using new []<type> was also intialization

It's Ankit....