javapointer-aliasing

setObject() Method and aliasing

I have a LINE class that has two attributes of type POINT (which is an object).

public class LINE {
private Point p1,p2;
}

If I make this statement, will it cause aliasing?

public void setP1(Point p1)
{
    this.p1=p1;
}

Or Do I have to create a new object, like that:

public void setP1(Point p1)
{
this.p1=new Object(p1);
}

Thanks in advnace.

Solution

  • Yes, it will cause aliasing.

    My guess is that you're trying to create a copy of the object, than you want to instantiate a new Point.

    That being said, if you Don't actually need to make a copy of the object, then the first one will do

    so if you call it like

    Line line = new Line()
line.setP1(new Point(/*params*/))

    that's perfectly okay.