Can we define this keyword as a reference variable in Java?

Question

public class Temp {
  private int x = 3;

  public void show() {
    this.x = 4;
    this.show(); // same as show();
  }
}

Can we say that this is a reference variable ?

calling `this.show()` from `show` will produce an infinite recursion leading to StackOverflowError. — Eran, Apr 19 '18 at 07:16
You cannot call it a _variable_ because the value cannot change. — Seelenvirtuose, Apr 19 '18 at 07:23

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 19 '18 at 07:23

From the Java Language Specification:

[...] the keyword this denotes a value that is a reference to the object for which the instance method or default method was invoked [...]

So this is not a reference variable, it is in fact a keyword. From the above description you could say it behaves like a reference variable (or better said a constant since you can't change it) if it is used in a certain context.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 19 '18 at 07:18

1

this is a reference indeed, however it is a constant, thus you can't change its value. this always references an object that object method was invoked on.

answered Apr 19 '18 at 07:18

Yoda

17,363
67
204
344

Can someone call it a reference variable ?? – Abhishek Dubey Apr 19 '18 at 07:22
@AbhishekDubey Only a guy called Michał Tomaszewski from PJATK college. ; p But it is a definitely a reference just a constant one. I believe( didn't check it ) that it is implemented as local constant in scope of method as it would be the most natural way to do it. – Yoda Apr 19 '18 at 07:23

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 19 '18 at 07:16

-1

Yes. it is in fact a reference variable which refers to the current object.

answered Apr 19 '18 at 07:16

piy26

1,574
11
21

It is not a _variable_! – Seelenvirtuose Apr 19 '18 at 07:21

Can we define this keyword as a reference variable in Java?

3 Answers3