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Thread: Why does the Color class have two variables for each color?

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    Default Why does the Color class have two variables for each color?

    Hey guys,

    I'm curious, why does the Color class have two variable for each color. For example, for color white, WHITE and white. Why does it have both if the do they same job?


    -Mel


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    Super Moderator helloworld922's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why does the Color class have two variables for each color?

    I suspect it has something to do with the Java naming conventions. Prior to Java 1.4, the there were only camel case static color fields (white, black, etc.). However, beginning in 1.4 they added the all-caps versions, probably to indicate that these are to be treated as constants.

    This is just speculation, though. I didn't find any hard evidence why the upper case versions were added.

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    Default Re: Why does the Color class have two variables for each color?

    I see. Sounds like it very well is the reason. Though if it is, why do the lower case variables still exist?

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    Super Moderator pbrockway2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why does the Color class have two variables for each color?

    why do the lower case variables still exist?
    My guess would be that Sun/Oracle would be rather careful before breaking existing code that uses the lowercase variables.

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    Administrator copeg's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why does the Color class have two variables for each color?

    Quote Originally Posted by Melawe View Post
    I see. Sounds like it very well is the reason. Though if it is, why do the lower case variables still exist?
    I'd agree with helloworld's hypothesis. And if this is the case they probably still exist for backwards compatibility - all legacy code that relies on the lower case would break if they were removed, and in many cases updating legacy code is a nightmare and not worth the effort.

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    Default Re: Why does the Color class have two variables for each color?

    Quote Originally Posted by copeg View Post
    I'd agree with helloworld's hypothesis. And if this is the case they probably still exist for backwards compatibility - all legacy code that relies on the lower case would break if they were removed, and in many cases updating legacy code is a nightmare and not worth the effort.
    I was going to say that if pbrock was right, that problem ought to be solved by now. Esp since 7 is out(almost) now. Though, now that you bring up legacy code, I can see why.

    I wonder if they plan on removing them.

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