variable CONSTANT?

[calvinho]

How can I assign the value of a CONSTANT at run-time? What I mean is the value of the CONSTANT will be dependent of some other factors which may not be known at compile time.
To cite an example, I want to assign a value to a CONSTANT which depends on the platform on which the program runs...

[Carl Trusiak]

JavaRanch has a Naming Policy Please reregister with a proper name.
By CONSTANT I assume you mean a final variable. A final variable can be assigned in a couple of ways. The most common is direct assignment at declaration.

final int RED = 1;

If it is a member variable, and you don't assign it at declaration time, then you are required to assign it in all constructors.

final int RED;
Colour ()
{
   RED = 1;
}
Colour(int i)
{
   RED = i;
}

If it is a class variable, and you don't assign it at declaration time then you have to assgin it in a static initializer block.

static final int RED;
{
  ... some code to get the int value into i such as read a file.
  RED = i;
}

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Hope This Helps
Carl Trusiak, SCJP2
[This message has been edited by Carl Trusiak (edited July 30, 2001).]