AP CSA Unit 3 Day 5: Constructor Chaining

Unit 3, Classes & Objects • Cycle 2
Day 5 Advanced Practice • Harder Difficulty
Focus: Constructor Chaining Hard Constructor Chaining

Advanced Practice Question

Format: Constructor Chaining

What is the output?
public class Thing {
    private int x;
    
    public Thing() {
        this(5);
        x = 10;
    }
    
    public Thing(int n) {
        x = n;
    }
    
    public int getX() {
        return x;
    }
}

// In another class:
Thing t = new Thing();
System.out.println(t.getX());
Difficulty: Hard | Topic: Constructor Chaining | Cycle: 2 (Advanced)
Why This Answer?

The no-arg constructor calls this(5), setting x to 5. Then the no-arg constructor continues and sets x to 10. Final value is 10.

Common Mistake
Watch Out!

Thinking this(5) prevents the rest of the constructor from executing.

AP Exam Strategy

After this(...) completes, the current constructor continues executing.

Master This Topic

This Cycle 2 HARD question tests constructor chaining. Review Unit 3 concepts to build mastery of classes & objects.

  • Understanding constructor chaining
  • Tracing code execution accurately
  • Avoiding common pitfalls
View Unit 3 Study Guide

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