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Thread: non-static method getDimensions() cannot be referenced ...

  1. #1
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    Default non-static method getDimensions() cannot be referenced ...

    Doing some deeper study on classes and objects. The object here is to get the dimensions of a rectangle, and give the area and perimeter of the rectangle. the tester is giving me a compilation error:

    RectangleTest.java:14: non-static method getDimensions() cannot be referenced from a static context
    System.out.println(Rectangle.getDimensions());

    Can somebody give me some insight?

    Thanks.

    //Jeremiah A. Walker
    //Find the area and perimeter of a rectangle
     
    public class Rectangle
    {
    	private int width = 1;
    	private int length = 1;
    	private int area;
    	private int perimeter;
    	//method to set dimensions for our rectangle;  
    	public void setDimensions(int w, int l)
    	{
    		width = w;
    		length = l;
    		area = w * l;
    		perimeter = 2 * l * w;
    	}//end method setDimensions
     
    	public String  getDimensions()
    	{
    		return String.format("%02d:%02d:%02d:%02d", width, length, area, perimeter);
    	}//end method getDimensions
     
    }//end class Rectangle

    //Jeremiah A. Walker
    //Test Rectangle class
     
    public class RectangleTest
    {
    	public static void main(String[] args)
    	{
    		//create and initialize a Rectangle object
    		Rectangle rect1 = new Rectangle();//invokes Rectangle constructor
     
    		//output string representations of the time
    		rect1.setDimensions(10,10);
    		System.out.print("The dimensions of this rectangle are: ");
    		System.out.println(Rectangle.getDimensions());
    	}//end main
    }//end class RectangleTest


  2. #2
    Crazy Cat Lady KevinWorkman's Avatar
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    Default Re: non-static method getDimensions() cannot be referenced ...

    Rectangle is a class. You want to get the dimensions of a particular instance of Rectangle. But the way you're calling it, it looks like you're trying to get the dimensions of the entire Rectangle class, which doesn't make sense since different instances of Rectangle will have different dimensions. And you haven't declared your getDimensions() method static, hence the compiler warning.
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    Default Re: non-static method getDimensions() cannot be referenced ...

    I declared the method and its associated variables static, but now I get this error:
    Rectangle.java:22: unreachable statement
    return perimeter;
    ^
    1 error

  4. #4
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    Default Re: non-static method getDimensions() cannot be referenced ...

    Quote Originally Posted by JeremiahWalker View Post
    I declared the method and its associated variables static, but now I get this error:
    Rectangle.java:22: unreachable statement
    return perimeter;
    ^
    1 error
    Why do you want to do that? As Kevin pointed out, do you wish every instance of Rectangle be the same? I'd suggest removing the static, and go back to the original code you posted. RE the error you get - take a look at how you call setDimensions (eg. rect1.setDimensions ) - this is correct syntax for calling an objects method, and the getDimensions call should be similar syntax

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    Default Re: non-static method getDimensions() cannot be referenced ...

    Got it to work. Thanks.

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    Member clydefrog's Avatar
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    Default Re: non-static method getDimensions() cannot be referenced ...

    invoke the getDemension() method on the object rather than the class

    EDIT: Oh you solved it. nevermind lol

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