BLOCKS AND STATEMENTS

Scope of Local Variable Declarations

14.3.2

float[][][][] f;

float[][][][][] g;

float[][][] h;

We do not recommend such  mixed notation  for array declarations.

14.3.2   Scope of Local Variable Declarations

The scope of a local variable declared in a block is the rest of the block, including

its own initializer. The name of the local variable parameter may not be redeclared

as a local variable or exception parameter within its scope, or a compile time error

occurs; that is, hiding the name of a local variable is not permitted.

A local variable cannot be referred to using a qualified name ( 6.6), only a

simple name.

The example:

class Test {

static int x;

public static void main(String[] args) {

int x = x;

}

}

causes a compile time error because the initialization of

x

 is within the scope of

the declaration of

x

 as a local variable, and the local

x

 does not yet have a value

and cannot be used.

The following program does compile:

class Test {

static int x;

public static void main(String[] args) {

int x = (x=2)*2;

System.out.println(x);

}

}

because the local variable

x

 is definitely assigned ( 16) before it is used. It prints:

4

Here is another example:

class Test {

public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.print("2+1=");

int two = 2, three = two + 1;

System.out.println(three);

}

}

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