Chapter 6

Question 1

actual parameter/argument

Answer 1

The variable or data to substitute formal parameters when invoking a method.

Question 2

ambiguous invocation

Answer 2

There are two or more possible methods to match an invocation of a method, and neither is more specific than the other(s). Therefore, the invocation is ambiguous.

Question 3

divide and conquer/stepwise refinement

Answer 3

The concept of method abstraction can be applied to the process of developing programs. When writing a large program, you can use the “divide and conquer” strategy to decompose it into subproblems. The subproblems can be further decomposed into smaller, more manageable problems.

Question 4

formal parameter (i.e., parameter)

Answer 4

The variables defined in the method signature.

Question 5

information hiding

Answer 5

A software engineering concept for hiding the detail implementation of a method for the client.

Question 6

method

Answer 6

A collection of statements grouped together to perform an operation. See class method, instance method.

Question 7

method abstraction

Answer 7

A technique in software development that hides detailed implementation. Method abstraction is defined as separating the use of a method from its implementation. The client can use a method without knowing how it is implemented. If you decide to change the implementation, the client program will not be affected.

Question 8

method overloading

Answer 8

Method overloading means that you can define methods with the same name in a class as long as there is enough difference in their parameter profiles.

Question 9

method signature

Answer 9

The combination of the name of a method and the list of its parameters.

Question 10

modifier

Answer 10

A Java keyword that specifies the properties of data, methods, and classes and how they can be used. Examples of modifiers are public, private, and static.

Question 11

parameter

Answer 11

A variable that is defined in the method header.

Question 12

pass-by-value/call-by-value

Answer 12

A term used when a copy of the value of the argument is passed to the method. For a parameter of a primitive type, the actual value is passed; for a parameter of a reference type, the reference for the object is passed.

Question 13

scope of a variable

Answer 13

Is the part of the program where the variable can be referenced.

Question 14

stub

Answer 14

A simple, but not complete, version of the method. The use of stubs enables you to test invoking the method from a caller.

Question 15

Main method

Answer 15

Is the starting method for executing a program.