How do I call one constructor from another in Java?

Question

Is it possible to call a constructor from another (within the same class, not from a subclass)? If yes how? And what could be the best way to call another constructor (if there are several ways to do it)?

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible:

public class Foo {
    private int x;

    public Foo() {
        this(1);
    }

    public Foo(int x) {
        this.x = x;
    }
}

To chain to a particular superclass constructor instead of one in the same class, use super instead of this. Note that you can only chain to one constructor, and it has to be the first statement in your constructor body.

See also this related question, which is about C# but where the same principles apply.

Answer 2

Using this(args). The preferred pattern is to work from the smallest constructor to the largest.

public class Cons {

    public Cons() {
        // A no arguments constructor that sends default values to the largest
        this(madeUpArg1Value,madeUpArg2Value,madeUpArg3Value);
    }

    public Cons(int arg1, int arg2) {
       // An example of a partial constructor that uses the passed in arguments
        // and sends a hidden default value to the largest
        this(arg1,arg2, madeUpArg3Value);
    }

    // Largest constructor that does the work
    public Cons(int arg1, int arg2, int arg3) {
        this.arg1 = arg1;
        this.arg2 = arg2;
        this.arg3 = arg3;
    }
}

You can also use a more recently advocated approach of valueOf or just "of":

public class Cons {
    public static Cons newCons(int arg1,...) {
        // This function is commonly called valueOf, like Integer.valueOf(..)
        // More recently called "of", like EnumSet.of(..)
        Cons c = new Cons(...);
        c.setArg1(....);
        return c;
    }
} 

To call a super class, use super(someValue). The call to super must be the first call in the constructor or you will get a compiler error.

Answer 3

[Note: I just want to add one aspect, which I did not see in the other answers: how to overcome limitations of the requirement that this() has to be on the first line).]

In Java another constructor of the same class can be called from a constructor via this(). Note however that this has to be on the first line.

public class MyClass {

  public MyClass(double argument1, double argument2) {
    this(argument1, argument2, 0.0);
  }

  public MyClass(double argument1, double argument2, double argument3) {
    this.argument1 = argument1;
    this.argument2 = argument2;
    this.argument3 = argument3;
  }
}

That this has to appear on the first line looks like a big limitation, but you can construct the arguments of other constructors via static methods. For example:

public class MyClass {

  public MyClass(double argument1, double argument2) {
    this(argument1, argument2, getDefaultArg3(argument1, argument2));
  }

  public MyClass(double argument1, double argument2, double argument3) {
    this.argument1 = argument1;
    this.argument2 = argument2;
    this.argument3 = argument3;
  }

  private static double getDefaultArg3(double argument1, double argument2) {
    double argument3 = 0;

    // Calculate argument3 here if you like.

    return argument3;

  }

}

Answer 4

When I need to call another constructor from inside the code (not on the first line), I usually use a helper method like this:

class MyClass {
   int field;


   MyClass() {
      init(0);
   } 
   MyClass(int value) {
      if (value<0) {
          init(0);
      } 
      else { 
          init(value);
      }
   }
   void init(int x) {
      field = x;
   }
}

But most often I try to do it the other way around by calling the more complex constructors from the simpler ones on the first line, to the extent possible. For the above example

class MyClass {
   int field;

   MyClass(int value) {
      if (value<0)
         field = 0;
      else
         field = value;
   }
   MyClass() {
      this(0);
   }
}

Answer 5

Within a constructor, you can use the this keyword to invoke another constructor in the same class. Doing so is called an explicit constructor invocation.

Here's another Rectangle class, with a different implementation from the one in the Objects section.

public class Rectangle {
    private int x, y;
    private int width, height;

    public Rectangle() {
        this(1, 1);
    }
    public Rectangle(int width, int height) {
        this( 0,0,width, height);
    }
    public Rectangle(int x, int y, int width, int height) {
        this.x = x;
        this.y = y;
        this.width = width;
        this.height = height;
    }

}

This class contains a set of constructors. Each constructor initializes some or all of the rectangle's member variables.

Answer 6

As everybody already have said, you use this(…), which is called an explicit constructor invocation.

However, keep in mind that within such an explicit constructor invocation statement you may not refer to

• any instance variables or
• any instance methods or
• any inner classes declared in this class or any superclass, or
• this or
• super.

As stated in JLS (§8.8.7.1).

Answer 7

Using this keyword we can call one constructor in another constructor within same class.

Example :-

 public class Example {
   
      private String name;
   
      public Example() {
          this("Mahesh");
      }

      public Example(String name) {
          this.name = name;
      }

 }

Answer 8

Yes, any number of constructors can be present in a class and they can be called by another constructor using this() [Please do not confuse this() constructor call with this keyword]. this() or this(args) should be the first line in the constructor.

Example:

Class Test {
    Test() {
        this(10); // calls the constructor with integer args, Test(int a)
    }
    Test(int a) {
        this(10.5); // call the constructor with double arg, Test(double a)
    }
    Test(double a) {
        System.out.println("I am a double arg constructor");
    }
}

This is known as constructor overloading.
Please note that for constructor, only overloading concept is applicable and not inheritance or overriding.

Answer 9

Yes it is possible to call one constructor from another. But there is a rule to it. If a call is made from one constructor to another, then

that new constructor call must be the first statement in the current constructor

public class Product {
     private int productId;
     private String productName;
     private double productPrice;
     private String category;

    public Product(int id, String name) {
        this(id,name,1.0);
    }

    public Product(int id, String name, double price) {
        this(id,name,price,"DEFAULT");
    }

    public Product(int id,String name,double price, String category){
        this.productId=id;
        this.productName=name;
        this.productPrice=price;
        this.category=category;
    }
}

So, something like below will not work.

public Product(int id, String name, double price) {
    System.out.println("Calling constructor with price");
    this(id,name,price,"DEFAULT");
}

Also, in the case of inheritance, when sub-class's object is created, the super class constructor is first called.

public class SuperClass {
    public SuperClass() {
       System.out.println("Inside super class constructor");
    }
}
public class SubClass extends SuperClass {
    public SubClass () {
       //Even if we do not add, Java adds the call to super class's constructor like 
       // super();
       System.out.println("Inside sub class constructor");
    }
}

Thus, in this case also another constructor call is first declared before any other statements.

Answer 10

I will tell you an easy way

There are two types of constructors:

1. Default constructor
2. Parameterized constructor

I will explain in one Example

class ConstructorDemo 
{
      ConstructorDemo()//Default Constructor
      {
         System.out.println("D.constructor ");
      }

      ConstructorDemo(int k)//Parameterized constructor
      {
         this();//-------------(1)
         System.out.println("P.Constructor ="+k);       
      }

      public static void main(String[] args) 
      {
         //this(); error because "must be first statement in constructor
         new ConstructorDemo();//-------(2)
         ConstructorDemo g=new ConstructorDemo(3);---(3)    
       }
   }                  

In the above example I showed 3 types of calling

1. this() call to this must be first statement in constructor
2. This is Name less Object. this automatically calls the default constructor. 3.This calls the Parameterized constructor.

Note: this must be the first statement in the constructor.

Answer 11

You can a constructor from another constructor of same class by using "this" keyword. Example -

class This1
{
    This1()
    {
        this("Hello");
        System.out.println("Default constructor..");
    }
    This1(int a)
    {
        this();
        System.out.println("int as arg constructor.."); 
    }
    This1(String s)
    {
        System.out.println("string as arg constructor..");  
    }

    public static void main(String args[])
    {
        new This1(100);
    }
}

Output - string as arg constructor.. Default constructor.. int as arg constructor..

Answer 12

Calling constructor from another constructor

class MyConstructorDemo extends ConstructorDemo
{
    MyConstructorDemo()
    {
        this("calling another constructor");
    }
    MyConstructorDemo(String arg)
    {
        System.out.print("This is passed String by another constructor :"+arg);
    }
}

Also you can call parent constructor by using super() call

Answer 13

There are design patterns that cover the need for complex construction - if it can't be done succinctly, create a factory method or a factory class.

With the latest java and the addition of lambdas, it is easy to create a constructor which can accept any initialization code you desire.

class LambdaInitedClass {

   public LamdaInitedClass(Consumer<LambdaInitedClass> init) {
       init.accept(this);
   }
}

Call it with...

 new LambdaInitedClass(l -> { // init l any way you want });

Answer 14

Pretty simple

public class SomeClass{

    private int number;
    private String someString;

    public SomeClass(){
        number = 0;
        someString = new String();
    }

    public SomeClass(int number){
        this(); //set the class to 0
        this.setNumber(number); 
    }

    public SomeClass(int number, String someString){
        this(number); //call public SomeClass( int number )
        this.setString(someString);
    }

    public void setNumber(int number){
        this.number = number;
    }
    public void setString(String someString){
        this.someString = someString;
    }
    //.... add some accessors
}

now here is some small extra credit:

public SomeOtherClass extends SomeClass {
    public SomeOtherClass(int number, String someString){
         super(number, someString); //calls public SomeClass(int number, String someString)
    }
    //.... Some other code.
}

Hope this helps.

Answer 15

Yes it is possible to call one constructor from another with use of this()

class Example{
   private int a = 1;
   Example(){
        this(5); //here another constructor called based on constructor argument
        System.out.println("number a is "+a);   
   }
   Example(int b){
        System.out.println("number b is "+b);
   }

Answer 16

You can call another constructor via the this(...) keyword (when you need to call a constructor from the same class) or the super(...) keyword (when you need to call a constructor from a superclass).

However, such a call must be the first statement of your constructor. To overcome this limitation, use this answer.

Answer 17

The keyword this can be used to call a constructor from a constructor, when writing several constructor for a class, there are times when you'd like to call one constructor from another to avoid duplicate code.

Bellow is a link that I explain other topic about constructor and getters() and setters() and I used a class with two constructors. I hope the explanations and examples help you.

Setter methods or constructors

Answer 18

I know there are so many examples of this question but what I found I am putting here to share my Idea. there are two ways to chain constructor. In Same class you can use this keyword. in Inheritance, you need to use super keyword.

    import java.util.*;
    import java.lang.*;

    class Test
    {  
        public static void main(String args[])
        {
            Dog d = new Dog(); // Both Calling Same Constructor of Parent Class i.e. 0 args Constructor.
            Dog cs = new Dog("Bite"); // Both Calling Same Constructor of Parent Class i.e. 0 args Constructor.

            // You need to Explicitly tell the java compiler to use Argument constructor so you need to use "super" key word
            System.out.println("------------------------------");
            Cat c = new Cat();
            Cat caty = new Cat("10");

            System.out.println("------------------------------");
            // Self s = new Self();
            Self ss = new Self("self");
        }
    }

    class Animal
    {
        String i;

        public Animal()
        {
            i = "10";
            System.out.println("Animal Constructor :" +i);
        }
        public Animal(String h)
        {
            i = "20";
            System.out.println("Animal Constructor Habit :"+ i);
        }
    }

    class Dog extends Animal
    {
        public Dog()
        {
            System.out.println("Dog Constructor");
        }
        public Dog(String h)
        {
            System.out.println("Dog Constructor with habit");
        }
    }

    class Cat extends Animal
    {
        public Cat()
        {
            System.out.println("Cat Constructor");
        }
        public Cat(String i)
        {
            super(i); // Calling Super Class Paremetrize Constructor.
            System.out.println("Cat Constructor with habit");
        }
    }

    class Self
    {
        public Self()
        {
            System.out.println("Self Constructor");
        }
        public Self(String h)
        {
            this(); // Explicitly calling 0 args constructor. 
            System.out.println("Slef Constructor with value");
        }
    }

Answer 19

It is called Telescoping Constructor anti-pattern or constructor chaining. Yes, you can definitely do. I see many examples above and I want to add by saying that if you know that you need only two or three constructor, it might be ok. But if you need more, please try to use different design pattern like Builder pattern. As for example:

 public Omar(){};
 public Omar(a){};
 public Omar(a,b){};
 public Omar(a,b,c){};
 public Omar(a,b,c,d){};
 ...

You may need more. Builder pattern would be a great solution in this case. Here is an article, it might be helpful https://medium.com/@modestofiguereo/design-patterns-2-the-builder-pattern-and-the-telescoping-constructor-anti-pattern-60a33de7522e

Answer 20

Yes, you can call constructors from another constructor. For example:

public class Animal {
    private int animalType;

    public Animal() {
        this(1); //here this(1) internally make call to Animal(1);
    }

    public Animal(int animalType) {
        this.animalType = animalType;
    }
}

you can also read in details from Constructor Chaining in Java

Answer 21

Originally from an anser by Mirko Klemm, slightly modified to address the question:

Just for completeness: There is also the Instance initialization block that gets executed always and before any other constructor is called. It consists simply of a block of statements "{ ... }" somewhere in the body of your class definition. You can even have more than one. You can't call them, but they're like "shared constructor" code if you want to reuse some code across constructors, similar to calling methods.

So in your case

{ 
  System.out.println("this is shared constructor code executed before the constructor");
  field1 = 3;
}

There is also a "static" version of this to initialize static members: "static { ... }"

Answer 22

I prefer this way:

    class User {
        private long id;
        private String username;
        private int imageRes;

    public User() {
        init(defaultID,defaultUsername,defaultRes);
    }
    public User(String username) {
        init(defaultID,username, defaultRes());
    }

    public User(String username, int imageRes) {
        init(defaultID,username, imageRes);
    }

    public User(long id, String username, int imageRes) {
        init(id,username, imageRes);

    }

    private void init(long id, String username, int imageRes) {
        this.id=id;
        this.username = username;
        this.imageRes = imageRes;
    }
}