What are method calls?

[Jake Miller]

I am working on a "problem" that says "Given the method below, which of the method calls are legal?"

The method is

int calcArea(int height, int width) {
return height * width;
}

an example of an answer I think is correct is: int a = calcArea(7, 12); but this is based on not really understanding what method calls are.

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Jake Miller:
...an answer I think is correct is: int a = calcArea(7, 12); but this is based on not really understanding what method calls are.

That's exactly what a method call is.

You are calling a method called calcArea, passing the required int parameters of 7 and 12. The method returns an int value, and you are assigning that return value to an int variable called a.

int calcArea(int height, int width) {
^   ^        ^
|   |        |
|   |        parameters that must be provided when calling
|   |
|   identifier (name) used to call
|
return type ("void" means nothing is returned)

[ August 08, 2007: Message edited by: marc weber ]

[Jake Miller]

Ok cool, I think I get it. So a method call is really just "calling a method" ie performing a method.

Quick aside, how do you put tabs in a message? Tabbing for me just goes to Add Reply, etc.

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Jake Miller:
Ok cool, I think I get it. So a method call is really just "calling a method" ie performing a method.

Quick aside, how do you put tabs in a message? Tabbing for me just goes to Add Reply, etc.

Yes. Defining a method is specifying what a method should do, and calling the method is actually pressing the "go button."

I don't think you can insert tabs directly in the input box, but you can copy tabs from another source and paste them in. You can also use multiple spaces instead. Note that you will need to use Code Tags to keep leading white space intact.