Chapter 6 Methods

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Opening Problem
Find the sum of integers from 1 to 10, from 20 to 30, and
from 35 to 45, respectively.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 2
Problem
int sum = 0;
for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10 is " + sum);

sum = 0;
for (int i = 20; i <= 30; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 20 to 30 is " + sum);

sum = 0;
for (int i = 35; i <= 45; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 35 to 45 is " + sum);

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 3
Problem
int sum = 0;
for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10 is " + sum);

sum = 0;
for (int i = 20; i <= 30; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 20 to 30 is " + sum);

sum = 0;
for (int i = 35; i <= 45; i++)
sum += i;
System.out.println("Sum from 35 to 45 is " + sum);

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 4
Solution
public static int sum(int i1, int i2) {
int sum = 0;
for (int i = i1; i <= i2; i++)
sum += i;
return sum;
}

public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.println("Sum from 1 to 10 is " + sum(1, 10));
System.out.println("Sum from 20 to 30 is " + sum(20, 30));
System.out.println("Sum from 35 to 45 is " + sum(35, 45));
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 5
Objectives
 To define methods with formal parameters (§6.2).
 To invoke methods with actual parameters (i.e., arguments) (§6.2).
 To define methods with a return value (§6.3).
 To define methods without a return value (§6.4).
 To pass arguments by value (§6.5).
 To develop reusable code that is modular, easy to read, easy to debug,
and easy to maintain (§6.6).
 To write a method that converts hexadecimals to decimals (§6.7).
 To use method overloading and understand ambiguous overloading
(§6.8).
 To determine the scope of variables (§6.9).
 To apply the concept of method abstraction in software development
(§6.10).
 To design and implement methods using stepwise refinement (§6.10).
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 6
Defining Methods
A method is a collection of statements that are
grouped together to perform an operation.
Define a method Invoke a method

int z = max(x, y);

public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
actual parameters
int result; (arguments)

if (num1 > num2)

result = num1;
else
result = num2;

return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 7
Defining Methods
A method is a collection of statements that are
grouped together to perform an operation.
Define a method Invoke a method

return value method formal

modifier type name parameters
int z = max(x, y);
method
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
header
actual parameters
int result; (arguments)
method
body parameter list
if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
else
method
result = num2; signature

return result; return value

}

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Method Signature
Method signature is the combination of the method name and the
parameter list.

Define a method Invoke a method

return value method formal

modifier type name parameters
int z = max(x, y);
method
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
header
actual parameters
int result; (arguments)
method
body parameter list
if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
else
method
result = num2; signature

return result; return value

}

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Formal Parameters
The variables defined in the method header are known as
formal parameters.

Define a method Invoke a method

return value method formal

modifier type name parameters
int z = max(x, y);
method
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
header
actual parameters
int result; (arguments)
method
body parameter list
if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
else
method
result = num2; signature

return result; return value

}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 10
Actual Parameters
When a method is invoked, you pass a value to the parameter. This
value is referred to as actual parameter or argument.

Define a method Invoke a method

return value method formal

modifier type name parameters
int z = max(x, y);
method
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
header
actual parameters
int result; (arguments)
method
body parameter list
if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
else
method
result = num2; signature

return result; return value

}

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Return Value Type
A method may return a value. The returnValueType is the data type
of the value the method returns. If the method does not return a
value, the returnValueType is the keyword void. For example, the
returnValueType in the main method is void.
Define a method Invoke a method

return value method formal

modifier type name parameters
int z = max(x, y);
method
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
header
actual parameters
int result; (arguments)
method
body parameter list
if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
else
method
result = num2; signature

return result; return value

}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 12
Calling Methods
Testing the max method
This program demonstrates calling a method max
to return the largest of the int values

Animation
TestMax Run

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animation

Calling Methods, cont.

pass the value of i

pass the value of j

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 14
animation

Trace Method Invocation

i is now 5

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 15
animation

Trace Method Invocation

j is now 2

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 16
animation

Trace Method Invocation

invoke max(i, j)

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 17
animation

Trace Method Invocation

invoke max(i, j)
Pass the value of i to num1
Pass the value of j to num2

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 18
animation

Trace Method Invocation

declare variable result

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 19
animation

Trace Method Invocation

(num1 > num2) is true since num1 is
5 and num2 is 2

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 20
animation

Trace Method Invocation

result is now 5

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 21
animation

Trace Method Invocation

return result, which is 5

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 22
animation

Trace Method Invocation

return max(i, j) and assign the
return value to k

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 23
animation

Trace Method Invocation

Execute the print statement

public static void main(String[] args) { public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int i = 5; int result;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j); if (num1 > num2)
result = num1;
System.out.println( else
"The maximum between " + i + result = num2;
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} return result;
}

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CAUTION
A return statement is required for a value-returning method. The
method shown below in (a) is logically correct, but it has a
compilation error because the Java compiler thinks it possible that
this method does not return any value.
public static int sign(int n) { public static int sign(int n) {
if (n > 0) Should be if (n > 0)
return 1; return 1;
else if (n == 0) else if (n == 0)
return 0; return 0;
else if (n < 0) else
return –1; return –1;
} }
(a) (b)

To fix this problem, delete if (n < 0) in (a), so that the compiler

will see a return statement to be reached regardless of how the if
statement is evaluated.

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Reuse Methods from Other Classes
NOTE: One of the benefits of methods is for reuse. The max
method can be invoked from any class besides TestMax. If
you create a new class Test, you can invoke the max method
using ClassName.methodName (e.g., TestMax.max).

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Call Stacks

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animation

Trace Call Stack

i is declared and initialized

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
System.out.println(
"The maximum between " + i +
" and " + j + " is " + k);
}

public static int max(int num1, int num2) {

int result; i: 5

if (num1 > num2)

result = num1; The main method
else is invoked.
result = num2;
return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 28
animation

Trace Call Stack

j is declared and initialized

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
System.out.println(
"The maximum between " + i +
" and " + j + " is " + k);
}

public static int max(int num1, int num2) { j: 2

int result; i: 5

if (num1 > num2)

result = num1; The main method
else is invoked.
result = num2;
return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 29
animation

Trace Call Stack

Declare k

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
System.out.println(
"The maximum between " + i +
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} Space required for the
main method
k:
public static int max(int num1, int num2) { j: 2
int result; i: 5

if (num1 > num2)

result = num1; The main method
else is invoked.
result = num2;
return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 30
animation

Trace Call Stack

Invoke max(i, j)

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
System.out.println(
"The maximum between " + i +
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} Space required for the
main method
k:
public static int max(int num1, int num2) { j: 2
int result; i: 5

if (num1 > num2)

result = num1; The main method
else is invoked.
result = num2;
return result;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 31
animation

Trace Call Stack

pass the values of i and j to num1
and num2

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
System.out.println(
"The maximum between " + i +
" and " + j + " is " + k); num2: 2
} num1: 5
Space required for the
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int result; main method
k:
if (num1 > num2) j: 2
result = num1; i: 5
else
result = num2;
return result; The max method is
} invoked.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 32
animation

Trace Call Stack

Declare result

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
System.out.println(
"The maximum between " + i + result:
" and " + j + " is " + k); num2: 2
} num1: 5
Space required for the
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int result; main method
k:
if (num1 > num2) j: 2
result = num1; i: 5
else
result = num2;
return result; The max method is
} invoked.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 33
animation

Trace Call Stack

(num1 > num2) is true

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
System.out.println(
"The maximum between " + i + result:
" and " + j + " is " + k); num2: 2
} num1: 5
Space required for the
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int result; main method
k:
if (num1 > num2) j: 2
result = num1; i: 5
else
result = num2;
return result; The max method is
} invoked.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 34
animation

Trace Call Stack

Assign num1 to result

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
Space required for the
System.out.println( max method
"The maximum between " + i + result: 5
" and " + j + " is " + k); num2: 2
} num1: 5
Space required for the
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int result; main method
k:
if (num1 > num2) j: 2
result = num1; i: 5
else
result = num2;
return result; The max method is
} invoked.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 35
animation

Trace Call Stack

Return result and assign it to k

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
Space required for the
System.out.println( max method
"The maximum between " + i + result: 5
" and " + j + " is " + k); num2: 2
} num1: 5
Space required for the
public static int max(int num1, int num2) {
int result; main method
k:5
if (num1 > num2) j: 2
result = num1; i: 5
else
result = num2;
return result; The max method is
} invoked.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 36
animation

Trace Call Stack

Execute print statement

public static void main(String[] args) {

int i = 5;
int j = 2;
int k = max(i, j);
System.out.println(
"The maximum between " + i +
" and " + j + " is " + k);
} Space required for the
main method
k:5
public static int max(int num1, int num2) { j: 2
int result; i: 5

if (num1 > num2)

result = num1; The main method
else is invoked.
result = num2;
return result;
}

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void Method Example
This type of method does not return a value. The method
performs some actions.

TestVoidMethod Run

TestReturnGradeMethod Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 38
Passing Parameters
public static void nPrintln(String message, int n) {
for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
System.out.println(message);
}

Suppose you invoke the method using

nPrintln(“Welcome to Java”, 5);
What is the output?

Suppose you invoke the method using

nPrintln(“Computer Science”, 15);
What is the output?

Can you invoke the method using

nPrintln(15, “Computer Science”);

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Pass by Value

This program demonstrates passing values

to the methods.

Increment Run

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Pass by Value

Testing Pass by value

This program demonstrates passing values
to the methods.

TestPassByValue Run

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Pass by Value, cont.

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Modularizing Code
Methods can be used to reduce redundant coding
and enable code reuse. Methods can also be used to
modularize code and improve the quality of the
program.
GreatestCommonDivisorMethod

Run

PrimeNumberMethod

Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 43
Case Study: Converting Hexadecimals
to Decimals
Write a method that converts a hexadecimal
number into a decimal number.
ABCD =>
A*16^3 + B*16^2 + C*16^1+ D*16^0
= ((A*16 + B)*16 + C)*16+D
= ((10*16 + 11)*16 + 12)*16+13 = ?
Hex2Dec Run
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 44
Overloading Methods
Overloading the max Method

public static double max(double num1, double

num2) {
if (num1 > num2)
return num1;
else
return num2;
}

TestMethodOverloading Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 45
Ambiguous Invocation
Sometimes there may be two or more possible
matches for an invocation of a method, but the
compiler cannot determine the most specific
match. This is referred to as ambiguous
invocation. Ambiguous invocation is a
compile error.

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Ambiguous Invocation
public class AmbiguousOverloading {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(max(1, 2));
}

public static double max(int num1, double num2) {

if (num1 > num2)
return num1;
else
return num2;
}

public static double max(double num1, int num2) {

if (num1 > num2)
return num1;
else
return num2;
}
}
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 47
Scope of Local Variables
A local variable: a variable defined inside a
method.
Scope: the part of the program where the
variable can be referenced.
The scope of a local variable starts from its
declaration and continues to the end of the
block that contains the variable. A local
variable must be declared before it can be
used.
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 48
Scope of Local Variables, cont.
You can declare a local variable with the
same name multiple times in different non-
nesting blocks in a method, but you cannot
declare a local variable twice in nested
blocks.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 49
Scope of Local Variables, cont.
A variable declared in the initial action part of a for loop
header has its scope in the entire loop. But a variable
declared inside a for loop body has its scope limited in the
loop body from its declaration and to the end of the block
that contains the variable.
public static void method1() {
.
.
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
.
The scope of i .
int j;
.
The scope of j .
.
}
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 50
Scope of Local Variables, cont.

It is fine to declare i in two It is wrong to declare i in

non-nesting blocks two nesting blocks

public static void method1() { public static void method2() {

int x = 1;
int y = 1; int i = 1;
int sum = 0;
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
x += i; for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
} sum += i;
}
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
y += i; }
}
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 51
Scope of Local Variables, cont.
// Fine with no errors
public static void correctMethod() {
int x = 1;
int y = 1;
// i is declared
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
x += i;
}
// i is declared again
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
y += i;
}
} Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 52
Scope of Local Variables, cont.
// With errors
public static void incorrectMethod() {
int x = 1;
int y = 1;
for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++) {
int x = 0;
x += i;
}
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 53
Method Abstraction
You can think of the method body as a black box
that contains the detailed implementation for the
method.
Optional arguments Optional return
for Input value

Method Header
Black Box
Method body

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 54
Benefits of Methods
• Write a method once and reuse it anywhere.
• Information hiding. Hide the implementation
from the user.
• Reduce complexity.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 55
Case Study: Generating Random
Characters
Computer programs process numerical data and characters.
You have seen many examples that involve numerical
data. It is also important to understand characters and how
to process them.
As introduced in Section 2.9, each character has a unique
Unicode between 0 and FFFF in hexadecimal (65535 in
decimal). To generate a random character is to generate a
random integer between 0 and 65535 using the following
expression: (note that since 0 <= Math.random() < 1.0, you
have to add 1 to 65535.)
(int)(Math.random() * (65535 + 1))

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 56
Case Study: Generating Random
Characters, cont.
Now let us consider how to generate a random
lowercase letter. The Unicode for lowercase letters
are consecutive integers starting from the Unicode
for 'a', then for 'b', 'c', ..., and 'z'. The Unicode for
'a' is
(int)'a'
So, a random integer between (int)'a' and (int)'z' is
(int)((int)'a' + Math.random() * ((int)'z' - (int)'a' + 1)

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 57
Case Study: Generating Random
Characters, cont.
Now let us consider how to generate a random
lowercase letter. The Unicode for lowercase letters
are consecutive integers starting from the Unicode
for 'a', then for 'b', 'c', ..., and 'z'. The Unicode for
'a' is
(int)'a'
So, a random integer between (int)'a' and (int)'z' is
(int)((int)'a' + Math.random() * ((int)'z' - (int)'a' + 1)

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 58
Case Study: Generating Random
Characters, cont.
As discussed in Chapter 2., all numeric operators
can be applied to the char operands. The char
operand is cast into a number if the other operand
is a number or a character. So, the preceding
expression can be simplified as follows:
'a' + Math.random() * ('z' - 'a' + 1)

So a random lowercase letter is

(char)('a' + Math.random() * ('z' - 'a' + 1))
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 59
Case Study: Generating Random
Characters, cont.
To generalize the foregoing discussion, a random character
between any two characters ch1 and ch2 with ch1 < ch2
can be generated as follows:

(char)(ch1 + Math.random() * (ch2 – ch1 + 1))

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 60
The RandomCharacter Class
// RandomCharacter.java: Generate random characters
public class RandomCharacter {
/** Generate a random character between ch1 and ch2 */
public static char getRandomCharacter(char ch1, char ch2) {
return (char)(ch1 + Math.random() * (ch2 - ch1 + 1));
}

/** Generate a random lowercase letter */

public static char getRandomLowerCaseLetter() {
return getRandomCharacter('a', 'z');
}

/** Generate a random uppercase letter */

RandomCharacter
public static char getRandomUpperCaseLetter() {
return getRandomCharacter('A', 'Z');
}

/** Generate a random digit character */

public static char getRandomDigitCharacter() {
TestRandomCharacter
return getRandomCharacter('0', '9');
}

/** Generate a random character */ Run

public static char getRandomCharacter() {
return getRandomCharacter('\u0000', '\uFFFF');
}
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 61
Stepwise Refinement (Optional)
The concept of method abstraction can be applied
to the process of developing programs. When
writing a large program, you can use the “divide
and conquer” strategy, also known as stepwise
refinement, to decompose it into subproblems.
The subproblems can be further decomposed into
smaller, more manageable problems.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 62
PrintCalender Case Study
Let us use the PrintCalendar example to demonstrate the
stepwise refinement approach.

PrintCalendar Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 63
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 64
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 65
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 66
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 67
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 68
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 69
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 70
Implementation: Top-Down
Top-down approach is to implement one method in the
structure chart at a time from the top to the bottom. Stubs
can be used for the methods waiting to be implemented. A
stub is a simple but incomplete version of a method. The
use of stubs enables you to test invoking the method from
a caller. Implement the main method first and then use a
stub for the printMonth method. For example, let
printMonth display the year and the month in the stub.
Thus, your program may begin like this:

A Skeleton for printCalendar

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 71
Implementation: Bottom-Up
Bottom-up approach is to implement one method in the
structure chart at a time from the bottom to the top. For
each method implemented, write a test program to test it.
Both top-down and bottom-up methods are fine. Both
approaches implement the methods incrementally and
help to isolate programming errors and makes debugging
easy. Sometimes, they can be used together.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 72
Benefits of Stepwise Refinement
Simpler Program

Reusing Methods

Easier Developing, Debugging, and Testing

Better Facilitating Teamwork

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 73