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Java Java Objects Harnessing the Power of Objects Overload Methods

Posted by Florenci Viela
Florenci Viela
2,482 Points

I don't understand what do they mean by "Pass it a 1" in the second question of the code challenge.

It might be because English is not my first language, but I can't figure out what do they mean by that, so I can't complete the task. I've been stuck for a while already.

Thank you!

GoKart.java 
class GoKart {
  public static final int MAX_BARS = 8;
  private String color;
  private int barCount;
  private int lapsDriven;

  public GoKart(String color) {
    this.color = color;
  }

  public String getColor() {
    return color;
  }
  public void charge() {
    barCount = MAX_BARS;
  }

  public boolean isBatteryEmpty() {
    return barCount == 0;
  }

  public boolean isFullyCharged() {
    return MAX_BARS == barCount;
  }

  public void drive(int laps) {
    lapsDriven+= laps;
    barCount-= laps;
  }

  public void drive(){
    drive = 1;
  }
}

3 Answers

Jason Anders
MOD
Jason Anders
Treehouse Moderator 145,860 Points
Jason Anders
Jason Anders
Treehouse Moderator 145,860 Points

Hi Florenci,

"Pass it a 1" means to provide the function's parameter(s) with a value (or arguments). In this case, you have created the method:

public void drive(int laps) {
    lapsDriven+= laps;
    barCount-= laps;
  }

This method "takes" one parameter (an Integer named "laps"). In short, when you call the method, you "pass in" an argument (the value), so the method can do what it's programmed to do. Here, the integer you pass in will be used to complete the calculations on lapsDriven and barCount. So, whatever number you pass into the method when you call it, will increase the lapsDriven and decrease the barCount by that number.

Remember to call a method is simply by typing the name of the method followed by opening and closing parenthesis with the arguments inside.

Now Task two asks you to create a another method that takes no parameters (and you did this correctly), but the second part wants you to call the first drive method, passing in a 1. Just a quick note, although these methods are named the same, they are different because they have different signatures (the parameters required).

So, as stated above: to call a method is just typing the name and () with the arguments passed in between.

  public void drive(){
    drive(1);
  }

I hope this helps. The more you work with overloading methods, the more it will makes greater sense.

Keep coding! :dizzy: :)

Casey Bryant
Casey Bryant
619 Points
Casey Bryant
Casey Bryant
619 Points

English is my first language and I didn't understand that part either ;) Thanks for helping!

Fahad Mutair
Fahad Mutair
10,359 Points
Fahad Mutair
Fahad Mutair
10,359 Points

hi Florenci Viela ,

Create a new method named drive that accepts no arguments. It should call the newer drive method passing in a 1 for the default.

Create a new method named drive that accepts no arguments means another method with same name drive (Overloading)

public void drive()

It should call the newer drive method passing in a 1 for the default. so in the body of the new method we have to call the other method that accept laps parameter

drive(1);

so the final code is 

public void drive() {
drive(1);
}
Florenci Viela
Florenci Viela
2,482 Points
Florenci Viela
Florenci Viela
2,482 Points

Thank you so much guys! This community is amazing, I posted the question 25 minutes ago and already have the answer.