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Using "this" with methods (in Java)

Asked 2009-02-05T16:51:42.517
20

what about using "this" with methods in Java? Is it optional or there are situations when one needs to use it obligatory?

The only situation I have encountered is when in the class you invoke a method within a method. But it is optional. Here is a silly example just to show what I mean:

public class Test {

    String s;

    private String hey() {
        return s;
    }

    public String getS(){
        String sm = this.hey();
        // here I could just write hey(); without this
        return sm;
    }
}
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The only reason to prepend this in front of a method invocation is to indicate that you're calling a non-static method. I can't think of any other valid reason to do this (correct me I'm wrong). I don't recommend this convention as it doesn't add much value. If not applied consistently then it could be misleading (as a this-less method invocation could still be a non-static method). How often does one care if the method being invoked is static or not? Furthermore, most IDEs will highlight static methods differently.

I have heard of conventions where this indicates calling the subclass's method while an absence of this is calling the super class's method. But this is just silly as the convention could be the other way around.

Edit: As mmyers points out (see comment), this works with static methods. With that, I see absolutely no reason to prepend with this as it doesn't make any difference.

answered 2009-02-11T19:26:49.950

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