1

Lesson 9: Methods

Solaf A. Hussain
University of Sulaimani
College Of Science
Computer Department

May 2024
 Objectives
2

 To define methods.
 To invoke methods with a return value.
 To invoke methods without a return
value.
 To pass arguments by value.
 To use method overloading.
 To determine the scope of variables.
 Example
3

 Suppose that you need to find the sum of integers from 1 to 10, from 20
to 30, and from 35 to 45, respectively. The code may written as follows:
int sum = 0;
for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10 is " + sum);

sum = 0;
for (int i = 20; i <= 30; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 20 to 30 is " + sum);

sum = 0;
for (int i = 35; i <= 45; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 35 to 45 is " + sum);
 Example (Cont.)
4

 The common code can be written once and reuse it without

rewriting it. The preceding code can be simplified as follows:
public static int sum(int start, int end) {
int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
}

public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= " + sum(1, 10));
System.out.println("Sum from 20 to 30= " + sum(20, 30));
System.out.println("Sum from 35 to 45= " + sum(35, 45));
}
 Introducing Methods (1)
5

 A method is a collection of statements that are grouped

together to perform an operation.
 Method is for creating reusable code.
 A part of your program when you are calling from
another method (ex. main method), the contents of the
method is executed.

 Syntax for defining a method:

modifier returnValueType methodName(list of parameters){
// Method body;
}
 Introducing Methods (2)
6

Program
main method

Method

Class
 Introducing Methods (3)
7

Method
Signature
return value method parameters
modifier type name

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

Method int s = 0;
body
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
}

Return value
 Introducing Methods (4)
8

 Method signature is the combination of the method name and the

parameter list.
 The variables defined in the method header are known as formal
parameters.
 When a method is invoked, parameters are replaced by variable
or data, which are referred to as actual parameter or argument.

 A method may return a value.

🞑 The returnValueTypeis the data type of the value the method
returns.
🞑 If the method does not return a value, the returnValueTypeis the
keyword void.
◼ For example, the returnValueType in the main method is void.
 Calling Methods
9

public static void main(String[] args) {

int result = sum(1, 10);

System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= " + result);
}
Same data type

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
}
 Calling Methods (Cont.)
10

 What happens when a method is called:

🞑 Control transfers to the method code.
🞑 Argument variables are assigned the values given in the
call.
🞑 Method code is executed.

🞑 Return value is assigned in place of the method name in

calling code.
🞑 Control transfers back to the calling code.
 Example Trace: (1)
11

Executing java
application starts form
main method
Public class MethodDemo{
public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
}
}
 Example Trace: (2)
12

Method sum is invoked

Public class MethodDemo{

public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
}
}
 Example Trace: (3)
13

control is transferred to the

method

Public class MethodDemo{

public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
}
}
 Example Trace: (4)
14

Public class MethodDemo{

public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s; start 1
} end 10
}
1 two variables start and
end declared
2 start = 1 and
3 end = 10
 Example Trace: (5)
15

Public class MethodDemo{

public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s; start 1
} end 10
}
variable s is declared
and initialized s 0
 Example Trace: (6)
16

Public class MethodDemo{

public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
} start 1
}
end 10
for statement is executed, starts
from 1 to 10; finds sum then put the s 55
result in variable s
 Example Trace: (7)
17

Public class MethodDemo{

public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
} start 1
}
end 10
1 The method completed
2 It returns to the main method 55
carrying variable s
s
 Example Trace: (8) 1 variable is declared
18 2 result = return value
from the method
Public class MethodDemo{
public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
start 1
return s;
} end 10
}
s 55
result 55
 Example Trace: (9)
A message is printed to
19 the console
Public class MethodDemo{
public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(1, 10);
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10= "
+ result);
}

public static int sum(int start, int end) {

int s = 0;
for (int i = start; i <= end; i++)
s += i;
return s;
}
result 55
}
 Example 1
20

public class MethodExample {

public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(“Start Here");
printLines();
System.out.println("Back to the Main");
printLines();
System.out.println("End Here");
}

public static void printLines() {

System.out.println("This is a line of text.");
System.out.println(“***********************");
}
}
 Example 2
21

/* This program defines two void methods to find area of circles and
rectangles*/
public class MethodExample {
//This method is for finding area of circle
public static void findCircleArea(double radius) {
double area = Math.PI * radius * radius;
System.out.println("Circle Area = " + area);
}
// Method printRectangleArea finds area of a rectangle
public static void findRectangleArea(double len, double wid){
System.out.println("Rectangle Area = " + (len * wid));
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
double radius = 20;
double length = 5, width = 4;
findCircleArea(radius);
findRectangleArea(length, width);
}
}
 Example 2 (modified)
22

/* This program defines two methods to find area of circle and rectangle, the
methods have return type*/
public class MethodExample {
public static double findCircleArea(double radius) {
double area = Math.PI * radius * radius;
return area;
}
public static double findRectangleArea(double l, double w){
return(l * w);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
double radius = 20;
double length = 5, width = 4;
double x = findCircleArea(radius);
System.out.println("Circle Area = " + x);

System.out.println("Rectangle Area = " +

findRectangleArea(length, width));
}
}
 Example 3
23

/* This program finds maximum value between two numbers using

method*/
import java.util.Scanner;
public class MethodExampleFindMax {
public static int findMaximum(int num1, int num2) {
if (num1 > num2)
return num1;
else
return num2;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);
System.out.println(“Please Enter Two Integer Numbers”);
int number1 = input.nextInt();
int number2 = input.nextInt();
System.out.print(“The Maximum value of “ + number1 + “ and “ +
number2 + “ is: “ );
System.out.println( findMaximum(number1, number2));
}
 Example 4
24

/*This program finds maximum value among ten values*/

public class MethodExampleFindMax {
public static int findMaximum(int [] numbers) {
int max = numbers[0];
for (int i = 1 ; i < 10 ; i++)
if(numbers[i] > max)
max = numbers[i];

return max;
}

public static void main(String[] args) {

int [] number = {10, 5, 89, 7, 10, 21, 56, 40, 32, 0};
int maximum = findMaximum(number);
System.out.print(“The Maximum value in the array is “ + maximum);
}
}
 Method Call Demo
25
 Scope of Local Variables
26

 A local variable is a variable defined inside a

method.
 The scope of a local variable starts from its declaration
and continues to the end of the block that contains the
variable.
🞑 A local variable must be declared before it can be
used.
 Local variable can be declared with the same name
multiple times in different non-nesting blocks in a
method.
 Scope of Local Variables (Cont.)
27

 A variable declared in the initial action part of a for loop

header has its scope in the entire loop.

public class Method { Class Level

public static void method() {

.
Method Level
.
for (int i = 1; i < 10 ; i++) {
.
The scope of i . Block Level
.
}
.
}

}
 Scope of Local Variables (Cont.)
28

// Fine with no errors. It is fine to declare i in two non-nesting

//block
public static void correctMethod() {
int x = 1, y = 1;
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) { x += i; }

for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) { y += i; }

}
Error-the local var. not initialized

public class Test {

public void pupAge() {
int age;
age = age + 7;
System.out.println("Puppy age is : " + age);
}

public static void main(String args[]) {

Test test = new Test();
test.pupAge();
}
}
 Exercises
29

 Write a program that asks the user to enter a number

then searches for the number in a predefined array.
 Write a program to find the largest string among 10
string. (hint: the strings are stored in an array of string).
 Write a program that has a method with the signature
int power(int x, int y)
which have the same work as Math.pow() method.
 Method Overloading
30

 Two or more methods can have the same name within

the same class .
 The method’s parameter declarations mustbe different.
 This is referred to as method overloading.
 Example1: Method Overloading
31
/* This program illustrates method overloading, named print */
import java.util.Scanner;
public class ExampleMethodOverloading {
public static void print() {
System.out.println(“*********************************”);
}
public static void print(String message) {
System.out.println(message);
}

public static void main(String[] args) {

Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);
String myMessage = input.next();
print();
print(myMessage);
print();
}
}
 Example2: Method Overloading
32

/* This program illustrates method overloading, to find

maximum value between two numbers or two strings*/
import java.util.Scanner;
public class ExampleMethodOverloading {
public static int findMax(int value1, int value2) {
if (value1> value2)
return value1;
else
return value2;
}

public static double findMax(String value1, Stringvalue2) {

if (value1.length() > value2.length())
return value1.length();
else
return value2.length();
}
 Example2: Method Overloading (Cont.)
33

/* This program illustrates method overloading, to find

maximum value between two numbers or two strings */

public static void main(String[] args) {

Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);
System.out.println(“Please enter two numbers
int number1 = input.nextInt();
int number2 = input.nextInt();
System.out.println(“ the maximum value is “ +
findMax(number1, number2);

String name1 = input.next();

String name2 = input.next();
System.out.println(“ the maximum value is “ +
findMax(name1, name2);

}
}
 References
34

 http://codingbat.com/java
 http://mathbits.com/MathBits/Java/
 http://introcs.cs.princeton.edu/java/home/
 http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/javaOO/met
hods.html
 www.prenhall.com/liang
 Herbert Schildt, “Java A Beginner’s Guide: Create,
Compile, and RunJava Programs Today,” 5th Ed.
 Deitel & Deitel, “Java How to Program”, 9th ed., chapter
6, p. 197.
 Daniel Liang, “Introduction to Java Programming”, 10th ed.,
chapter 6, p. 203.