about Final variable

[Ramanjaneyulu]

First Part:
=======
1) If I wrote two classes like this

public class First{
public final int i=10;
}

public class Second{
public static void main(String[] args){
First first=new First();
System.out.println("print i value--->"+first.i);
}
}

2) then compile the code with
c:> javac Second.java
and run the code
c:> java Second then the output will be
print value---->10

Second Part:
==========
3) Now change i value from 10 to 20 in class First.
public final int i=20;
4) Now compile only First.java only (Ex: c:> javac First.java)
5) Now run Second.class only (Ex: c> java Second)
Now the output will be print value---->10

But If do the above steps when I have "public int i=10;" in First.java class
then for First part I am getting "print value---->10" as a result
and for Second part I am getting "print value---->20" as a result.

My doubt is why the result is 10 in second part when the variable is declared as final?

[Prajin]

final int i, means you can't change that variable value.
when int i =10;
we can do : i = i+5; // from other methods
but this can't be done, when final int i =10;
If some variable needs to be static through out application then use final.

final (Java) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[collin389]

final int i, means you can't change that variable value.
when int i =10;
we can do : i = i+5; // from other methods
but this can't be done, when final int i =10;

Yeah but the OP isn't changing the variable at runtime. He said he put
public final int i = 20; and when he compiled and referenced, it was 10.

Hmm, I just tested, and OP didn't mess up, final does something weird.
Extra point: if you recompile Second, it will print the new value 20.

Ok, so if it is final, it will look for the value only at compile, and if it isn't, it will look at runtime.

[Ramanjaneyulu]

Ok, so if it is final, it will look for the value only at compile, and if it isn't, it will look at runtime.

This is wondering me.anybody knows why it is happening to final variable only.

[collin389]

Becuase final means that it won't change during runtime, so the JVM doesn't check to see if the variable has changed because it doesn't expect it to.

[Prajin]

Hmm, I just tested, and OP didn't mess up, final does something weird.
Extra point: if you recompile Second, it will print the new value 20.

Hmm, only one thing comes in my mind, as OP compile First.java after making final int =20; but not Second.java, I think Second still have old value and showed 10.That's why when Second is compiled and run it gave new value.

-Regards

[JosAH]

The compiler treats final variables as literal constants and uses them as such: i.e. if class A contains a final variable which is used in class B and class A is recompiled afterwards, the compiled code for class B still uses the old value for the final variable; class B isn't recompiled automagically.

kind regards,

Jos