Method calls

Method call

Syntax:

object.methodName(parameters)

• object is (a reference denoting) the invocation object
• methodName(...) is the called method
• parameters are the parameters passed to the method

Semantics:

Calls a method on an object, possibly passing additional parameters. The effect of a method call is the execution of the operation associated to the method, and sometimes the return of a value.

Example:

System.out.println("Ciao!");

• System.out is (a reference denoting) the invocation object
• println(...) is the called method
• "Ciao!" is the parameter passed to the method

The call of the println() method causes the string passed as parameter, i.e., "Ciao!", to be printed on the standard output channel (the monitor), which is denoted by System.out. Notice that this method does not return any result, but performs an operation on the object (denoted by) System.out.