CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javamethodsreturn
Drieke
Drieke

Reputation: 301

How do I print a return statement from another class?

I've got a class called Files where I have a toString method like so:

     public String toString() {
        String res = "[";
        for (int i = 0; i < files.size(); ++i) {
            if (i > 0) {
                res += " ";
            }
            res += files.get(i);
        }
        return res + "]";
     }

In a separate class called Homework I have another toString method where I am trying to print the string that was returned in Files.toString(). Right now my code looks like:

    public String toString(){
        String output = Files.toString();
        return output;

    }

But the error it's giving me is that it can't make a static reference to a non static method. Is there a way to make a non static reference? Both toString methods are not static so I don't know why it is making a static reference.

Upvotes: 0

Views: 2616

Answers (5)

promanski
promanski

Reputation: 567

You have to have an instance of Files class to be able to invoke it's non-static method. 

Files f = new Files();
f.toString();

Upvotes: 0

Daan Luttik
Daan Luttik

Reputation: 2855

you want to use a files object not the Files class, the way you do it you call the method toString() from the class File wich you can't do because toString is not a static method, but you can call toString from an object based on the Files class.

Upvotes: 1

David
David

Reputation: 218828

This is a static reference:

Files.toString()

Because Files is the name of the class. However, this is not a static method:

public String toString() {

If you're trying to call .toString() on a specific instance of Files then you need to call it on that instance, not on the class itself. For example, if the instance variable is called myFiles then you'd do this:

public String toString(){
    String output = myFiles.toString();
    return output;
}

Where is your instance of Files in your Homework object? Or, if you don't have an instance, what are you trying to turn into a string?

Upvotes: 0

Reimeus
Reimeus

Reputation: 159754

This expresson

   Files.toString()

refers to a static toString method - you need to use an instance of Files

Files files = new Files();

...

String output = files.toString();

Upvotes: 2

Charu Khurana
Charu Khurana

Reputation: 4551

Because toString in Files is not a static method but you're referencing it in a static way. Make an object of Files and then access it like new Files().toString();

Upvotes: 1

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