can we have class name as return types in functions in java

[archu sweet]

can we have class name as return types in functions in java ?

public Bicycle seeWhosFastest(Bicycle myBike, Bicycle yourBike, Environment env) {
  Bicycle fastest;
  // code to calculate which bike is faster, given
  // each bike's gear and cadence and given 
  // the environment (terrain and wind)
  return fastest;
}

what is the use?? we don't have like this option in c++ ??

[Matthew Brown]

Yes, you can.

In C++, you'd probably return a pointer to a Bicycle. The Java version returns a reference to a Bicycle object, which is very similar, really.

[Tejas Shah]

Hi,

Yes, This returns the whole object fastest to the caller....

Something like,

Bycycle fastest = eeWhosFastest(myBike,  yourBike,  env) ;

and the fastest will contain reference to myBike or yourBike, whichever is returned.


One Advice: Java is different in C++ from many aspects,
Just carry on with the fundamentals of OOP and dive into Java as a new language. Otherwise it can confuse you like anything!!

[Campbell Ritchie]

Tejas Shah wrote: . . . This returns the whole object . . .

Not quite. It returns a value which is the same as the memory location of that object. It does not actually return the whole object.

One Advice: Java is different in C++ from many aspects, . . .

Very wise advice. Lots of people think Java™ and C++ are versions of the same language and get very confused about it.

[Tejas Shah]

Agree.
Java never passes the objects, but the reference.

As there is nothing like a pointer in Java, this is just an internally handled and we can access the same object at the caller. To be precise, suppose, 'myBike' is faster, 'fastest' and and 'mybike' will refer to the same object. and changes made to either of these will be reflected in each other... it's like having two tags atached to the same things.

[David O'Meara]

or two remote controls controlling the same car

[Matthew Brown]

David O'Meara wrote:or two remote controls controlling the same car

I just love the idea of a remote control cat! Where can I get one?

[Campbell Ritchie]

All cats work by remote control. Only the cat does the controlling . . .

[Tejas Shah]

Cat... ???

It was car we ware talking about. Anyways, I'm also interested in Remote Control Cat, if exists!!

- Tejas
SCJP 6

Cherish your life..!!

[Matthew Brown]

Tejas Shah wrote:Cat... ???

The link David posted talks about cats.

I apologise for taking this off topic, though. I'll shut up now.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Tejas Shah wrote:Cat... ???

It was car we ware talking about. . . .

But that doesn't stop us taking the discussion off-topic