static/non-static method reference

Question

I started creating a Hangman game. I want to have a main class, and a method class. I want to get a secret word, but I get an error:

non-static method getWord() cannot be referenced from a static context.

Maybe I get this error because no object has been created? What's wrong here and how do I fix this?

PS: maybe implementing it with enum could be better, but I want to start this way.

public class HangmanMain {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String secretWord; /* chosen secret word*/
        secretWord = HangmanUtil.getWord();
        System.out.println("");
    }

}

public class HangmanUtil {

    private String[] wordBank = {"pool","ice", "america", "hook", "book", "glass" , "hint", "giraffe"," elephant", "ocean","market"};

    String guess;
    private int bodyPartsLeft;

    String getWord(){
        int len = wordBank.length;
        int rand = (int)(Math.random() * (len + 1));
        return wordBank[rand];
    }

}

"Maybe I get this error because no object has been created ?" - That's exactly right. You need to instantiate the containing class before you can call one of its non-static methods. — JonK, Oct 16 '15 at 14:14

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 16 '15 at 14:14

0

You answered yourself :

Maybe I get this error because no object has been created ?

Either create a new instance of HangmanUtil or make the HangmanUtil.getWord() method static.

EDIT : considering it's a utility class, I believe second option is better : make HangmanUtil a static class with static methods.

answered Oct 16 '15 at 14:14

Gaël J

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Thanks:). "private static String[] wordBank =...," and "static String getWord(){..." solve the problem (and also create a new instance). "public static class HangmanUtil {" doesn't compile. – Niminim Oct 16 '15 at 14:29
Yes, a class cannot be marked as `static`, only its content. You whould also make the constructor `private` to fully make the class "static". – Gaël J Oct 16 '15 at 14:31

khelwood · Answer 2 · 2015-10-20T09:23:41.447

0

You can't call a method via ClassName.methodName() unless the method is static.

If you want to call a non-static method, you need an instance. E.g.

HangmanUtil hu = new HangmanUtil();
secretWord = hu.getWord();

If you don't want to make an instance, then your method needs to be be marked static, and any other methods or fields it references must also be static.

edited Oct 20 '15 at 09:23

answered Oct 16 '15 at 14:14

khelwood

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static/non-static method reference

2 Answers2