creating an array of objects using the new operator

[Momen Travolta]

When an array of objects is created using the new operator, each element is a reference variable with a default value of null.

Shouldn't each element have a reference variable with a value of one object`s reference?

for example:-
myObject[] objArray = new myObject[10];

would assign the first element a reference to an instance of myObject; isn`t that right?

[Rob Spoor]

No. As you quoted, initially each element is null. You need to give each element a value:

objArray[0] = new myObject();

[kv ruby]

myObject[] objArray = new myObject[10]; //alocates memory for 10 objects of type myObject.


this would create 10 reference variables of type myObject but the value assigned to each will be null.
hence these variables will hold the reference to objects only if we create Objects.

like objArray[0] = new myObject(); //first object is created and the rf of this object is stored in variable objArray[0].

[Jonas Isberg]

ruby kv wrote:myObject[] objArray = new myObject[10]; //alocates memory for 10 objects of type myObject.

No need to allocate any memory for the actual myObjects here, only for the 10 reference variables.

[fred rosenberger]

Arrays are like rolodexes. They hold address cards, not actual houses.

When you say

myObject[] objArray = new myObject[10];

you get a rolodex that has ten blank address cards in it. You need to build the house first (probably using the 'new' operator), then write the address on the card (using the assignment operator).