Methods (instance methods)

Methods define the behavior of an object. They can access and modify instance variables.

Syntax:

returnType methodName(parameterList) {
    // method body
}

Example:

class Rectangle {
    double width, height;

    double calculateArea() {
        return width * height;
    }

    void setDimensions(double w, double h) {
        width = w;
        height = h;
    }
}

Calling methods:

Rectangle rect = new Rectangle();
rect.setDimensions(5, 10);
double area = rect.calculateArea();

Method modifiers:

• public, private, protected – access control
• static – belongs to class
• abstract – no body, must be overridden
• final – cannot be overridden
• synchronized – thread‑safe

Return types:

• Primitive or reference type
• void – no return value

Parameters: Passed by value (for primitives) or reference (objects).