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Thread: Cannot pass variables?

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    Default Cannot pass variables?

    in my instance field I have variables a = 1 and b = 2. I can not seem to pass "a" and "b" through my swap method as a parameter. I am confused to why.

            public void swap(int i1, int i2)
        {
            int tmp = i1;
            i1 = i2;
            i2 = tmp;
            System.out.println("i1 -  " + i1);
            System.out.println("i2  -  " + i2);
        }


  2. #2
    Super Moderator Norm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cannot pass variables?

    Java passes the values contained in the variables which the method receives in new temporary variables.
    There is no way to change the contents of the original variables.
    If you don't understand my answer, don't ignore it, ask a question.

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    Default Re: Cannot pass variables?

    Oh, so to make the swap method work I would have to create public variable which is bad design practice?

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    Super Moderator Norm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Cannot pass variables?

    If you put the values in an array you would be able to swap them
    It is not often that you swap the values of class variables. There wouldn't be a need for a method.
    If you don't understand my answer, don't ignore it, ask a question.

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