Doubt about Final variable

Hi
I am a silent participant of javaranch.I will be appearing for SCJP2 on the 29th of this month.
I have doubt regarding final variables.
In the following code
public class X {
final int a;
X() {
a=1;
System.out.println(a);
}
X(int i) {
a=100;
System.out.println(a);
}
public static void main(String args[]) {
X x = new X();
X Yx = new X(19);
System.out.println(x.a);
System.out.println(Yx.a);
}
}
This compiles correctly printing out 1 100 1 100
But shouldnt it give an error stating that final variable cant be assigned a value?
Again if in the above code in line 2 int a is initialised, then
it gives the error that I am expecting.
But i cannot understand why there is no error when final int a is not explicitly initialised.
Looking for an answer
Thanks
Debanjana

Hi Debanjana,
'final' member variables can only be initialized in constructors, if not initialized during declaration.
In your example, final variable 'a' is being initialized in both the constructors, which is correct. If you try commenting the line that assigns value to final variable 'a' you should get a compilation error.
Hope this helps.
Good luck for your exam!!
Kiran

Hi Kiran
Thanks a lot for the explanation
Debanjana