New Terms
By Reference Variables can be passed to methods and functions “by reference”. If this is the case, then changes made to the argument in the method will remain after the method terminates.
By Value Variables can be passed to methods and functions “by value”. If this is the case, then changes made to the argument in the method will not remain after the method terminates.
Class A class is an object data type provided by Java or the program.
Function A reusable block of code that can be called from elsewhere in the program. A function returns a value.
Instance Function A function that is not declared static. To access an instance function the class must have been instantiated with the “new” operator.
Instance Method A method that is not declared static. To access an instance function the class must have been instantiated with the “new” operator.
Instance Variable A variable that is not declared static. To access an instance variable the class must have been instantiated with the “new” operator.
Local Variable A variable that is local to a method or function. Any value assigned to the variable only has meaning in the method, and will lose its value when the method returns.
Method A reusable block of code that can be called from elsewhere in the program. A method does not return a value.
Object An instance of a class.
static A Java keyword that can be applied to a variable, method, function or other Java construct.
Static Function A function that is declared static. A static function can be accessed either through an instance or directly through the class.
Static Method A method that is declared static. A static function can be accessed either through an instance or directly through the class.
Static Variable A variable that is declared static. A static variable can be accessed either through an instance or directly through the class, if it is declared at the class level. If the static variable is declared in a function or method, then it will hold its value, even after the method terminates.
