Variable Shadowing

Variable shadowing occurs when a local variable (declared inside a method, constructor, or block) has the same name as an instance variable (declared at the class level). In this case, the local variable takes precedence within its scope, meaning it “shadows” the instance variable. However, the instance variable can still be accessed using the this keyword.

Syntax to access the instance variable in local scope:

this.variableName

Example

class Employee {

// Instance variable at the class level

double salary = 150000.0;

public void info() {

// Local variable declared inside the method

double salary = 40000.0;

System.out.println(salary); // Prints 40000.0

// Accessing the instance variable using 'this'

double temp = this.salary;

System.out.println(temp); // prints 150000.0

}

public static void main(String[] args) {

Employee e = new Employee();

e.info();

}

}