Diffrence Between Object and Reference

Hi,

I will create ArrayList reference and Object after access the Method.. what is the diffrence betweem this two?

Coding :

(i)

ArrayList disList=null;

disList =oAction.onLoad();

(ii)

ArrayList disList = new ArrayList();

disList =oAction.onLoad();

Plz read above the Coding and reply the diffrence..

Thanking u,

[378 byte] By [pkumaran_javaa] at [2007-11-27 11:22:05]
# 1

A r eference points to an object.

Foo foo = new Foo();

We have created a Foo object. foo is a reference variable that holds a reference to that object. It "points to" the object.

jverda at 2007-7-29 14:52:47 > top of Java-index,Java Essentials,Java Programming...
# 2

> (i)

> ArrayList disList=null;

disList is a reference variable. We've set its value to null, meaning it doesn't point to any object.

> disList =oAction.onLoad();

Now disList's value is a reference to an object--the same object referred to by the result of onLoad.

> (ii)

>

> ArrayList disList = new ArrayList();

disList holds a reference to the newly created ArrayList.

> disList =oAction.onLoad();

Now disList points to a different ArrayList. Nothing points to the list we created in the previous statement.

jverda at 2007-7-29 14:52:47 > top of Java-index,Java Essentials,Java Programming...