University of Central Florida (UCF) COP3330 Object Oriented Programming Final Practice Exam

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What role does the 'this' keyword serve in Java?

Refers to the entire Java program

Refers to the current object of the class

In Java, the 'this' keyword plays a crucial role by referring to the current object of the class within which it is used. When you use 'this', it allows you to access instance variables and methods of the current object, differentiating between instance variables and parameters when they have the same name. This distinction is particularly useful in constructors and setters, where you might encounter variable shadowing.

For example, in a constructor that initializes an object's fields, using 'this.name' clearly indicates that you are referring to the object's field rather than a parameter of the same name. This helps in maintaining clarity and avoids confusion in your code, ensuring that the properties of the specific instance are being referenced.

Understanding the function of 'this' is central to grasping object-oriented principles in Java, as it reinforces the concept of encapsulation, where an object manages its own state and behavior through its methods and properties.

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Refers to parent class objects

Refers to static variables

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