CODEWITHSUNDEEP
java
devoured elysium
devoured elysium

Reputation: 105037

Using methods from the "outer" class in inner classes

When defining nested classes, is it possible to access the "outer" class' methods? I know it's possible to access its attributes, but I can't seem to find a way to use its methods.

    addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter() {
        @Override
        public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {
            if (e.getClickCount() == 2 && //<-- Here I'd like to
        }                                 // reference a method
    });                                   //from the class where
                                          //addMouseListener() is defined!

Thanks

Upvotes: 4

Views: 2171

Answers (3)

Pindatjuh
Pindatjuh

Reputation: 10526

There is another trick for using outer-class references in inner-classes, which I often use:

class OuterClass extends JFrame {

    private boolean methodName() {
        return true;
    }

    public void doStuff() {
        // uses the local defined method
        addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter() {
           @Override
           public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {
               System.out.println(methodName()); // false
               // localclass method
               System.out.println(OuterClass.this.methodName()); // true
               // outerclass method
               OuterClass.super.addMouseListener(this); // don't run this, btw
               // uses the outerclasses super defined method
           }
           private boolean methodName() {
               return false;
           }
        });                                
    }

    @Override
    public void addMouseListener(MouseListener a) {
        a.mouseClicked(null);
    }

 }

Upvotes: 3

mdma
mdma

Reputation: 57707

As your inner class is non-static, all methods of the outer class are automatically visible to the inner class, even private ones.

So, just go ahead and call the method that you want.

For example, 

   class MyClass extends JPanel
   {

        void doStuff()
        {
        }

        boolean someLogic()
        {
           return 1>2;
        }

        void setupUI() 
        {
            addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter() {
               @Override
               public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {
                 if (e.getClickCount() == 2 && someLogic())
                   doStuff();
               }
            });                                
        }
    }

For more on this, see the Sun Tutorial on Nested Classes.

Upvotes: 4

filip-fku
filip-fku

Reputation: 3265

Failing everything else you could define a self reference attribute :

MyClass current = this;

and use that..

Though I would also like to know the true, clean, answer to your question!

Upvotes: 0

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