cannot find symbol error, defined inside private method

[sp725]

hello, i am new to java and am looking for help with this problem. thank you very much to anyone who wouldn't mind helping me out.
i need to use variables (r,x1,x2,etc.) inside the main method of my program that were previously defined inside a private method.
is this possible, and if so how would i do this?

example:

private static double dist(double x1, double y1, double x2, double y2){

double r;
r = Math.sqrt((x1-x2)*(x1-x2) + (y1-y2)*(y1-y2));
return r;
}
public static void main(String() args){
forceX[body]= F*((x1-x2)/r);
forceY[body]= F*((y1-y2)/r);

}

if it isn't possible, are there any changes i can make so that i'll be able to use these values later on?

[Solarsonic]

You can only call private methods from within their class. So as long as you're calling it from the same class, then yes you can.

For the "cannot find symbol" error, please post the exact error message with the code that's causing it.

[Junky]

You can only call private methods from within their class.

That is not 100% correct. The following code will not compile.

public class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        XYZ.dostuff();
    }
}

class XYZ {
    public static void dostuff() {
        showMe();
    }
    
    private void showMe() {
        System.out.println("Hello World");
    }
}

[Solarsonic]

That is not 100% correct. The following code will not compile.

public class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        XYZ.dostuff();
    }
}

class XYZ {
    public static void dostuff() {
        showMe();
    }
    
    private void showMe() {
        System.out.println("Hello World");
    }
}

Well of course, I don't see how that disproves my statement? The only place a private method can be called is within the class... the code won't compile because it's being called outside of its class.

[Junky]

No its not. The code is calling showMe from within the XYZ class.

[Solarsonic]

No its not. The code is calling showMe from within the XYZ class.

Well that's because you're making a static reference to a nonstatic method... I never said that it can always be called there, just that it's the only place... but I definitely see your point.

[Junky]

But according to your comment I can do that because it is within the class. But we know that you cannot do that which brings us back to my point that your comment was not 100% correct.

[Solarsonic]

But according to your comment I can do that because it is within the class. But we know that you cannot do that which brings us back to my point that your comment was not 100% correct.

My statement was:

You can only call private methods from within their class.

not

You can always call private methods from within their class.

You're absolutely correct just a little misreading :P It's late so I forgive you.