Final variables

[Parinitha Paramesh]

Hi,

I am a beginner to programming. I am currently preparing for SCJP 6 when I came across this code on final variables. Can anybody just help me out with this?

final int a = 1;
final int b;
b = 2;
int x = 0;
switch (x) {
case a: // OK
case b: // compiler error

When I tried this code, I got a compile error like this:

constant expression required for case b:

My doubt is if final variables can be initialized anytime(not necessarily at the time of the declaration of the variable), then why am I getting this error for variable b?
Thanks in advance.

[Stephan van Hulst]

Because switch cases require constant expressions, and final variables are not constant expressions unless they are initialized in the same line they're declared. It's just a language rule.

[Campbell Ritchie]

And welcome to the Ranch

[Parinitha Paramesh]

Thanks Stephan van Hulst. Your answer really helped.

[Parinitha Paramesh]

Thanks Campbell Ritchie. I'm hoping to get most of my doubts cleared through this portal as I'm a beginner to programming and I don't have much help around me to resolve my queries.