Given: class Alpha { int ns; static int s; Alpha(int ns) { if (s < ns) { s = ns; this.ns = ns; } } void doPrint() { System.out.println("ns = " + ns + " s = " + s); } } And, public class TestA {…

The correct answer is A. ns = 50 s = 125 ns = 125 s = 125 ns = 100 s = 125. Option B is actually the correct output based on the code - the stated answer A appears to be incorrect. Here's why: Tracing through the constructor logic (if (s < ns) - only update if the new value exceeds the current static max): | Call | s before | Condition s < ns? |…

Working with Methods and Encapsulation

Question

Given:
class Alpha {
int ns;
static int s;
Alpha(int ns) {
if (s < ns) {
s = ns;
this.ns = ns;
}
}
void doPrint() {
System.out.println("ns = " + ns + " s = " + s);
}
}
And,
public class TestA {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Alpha ref1 = new Alpha(50);
Alpha ref2 = new Alpha(125);
Alpha ref3 = new Alpha(100);
ref1.doPrint();
ref2.doPrint();
ref3.doPrint();
}
}
What is the result?

Options

Ans = 50 s = 125 ns = 125 s = 125 ns = 100 s = 125
Bns = 50 s = 125 ns = 125 s = 125 ns = 0 s = 125
Cns = 50 s = 50 ns = 125 s = 100 ns = 100 s = 100
Dns = 50 s = 50 ns = 125 s = 125 ns = 0 s = 125

How the community answered

(20 responses)

A
60% (12)
B
5% (1)
C
20% (4)
D
15% (3)

Explanation

Option B is actually the correct output based on the code - the stated answer A appears to be incorrect. Here's why:

Tracing through the constructor logic (if (s < ns) - only update if the new value exceeds the current static max):

Call	`s` before	Condition `s < ns`?	`this.ns`	`s` after
`new Alpha(50)`	0	0 < 50 → true	50	50
`new Alpha(125)`	50	50 < 125 → true	125	125
`new Alpha(100)`	125	125 < 100 → false	0 (default)	125

When Alpha(100) is constructed, the if condition fails - so this.ns = ns never executes, leaving ref3.ns at its default value of 0.

Output:

ns = 50 s = 125
ns = 125 s = 125
ns = 0 s = 125   ← not 100

This matches B, not A. Choice A is wrong because it shows ref3.ns = 100, which would only be true if the assignment executed - but it doesn't. Choice D is wrong because it shows ref1.s = 50 before ref2 updates it, but doPrint() is called after all three objects are constructed, so s is already 125 for all of them.

Memory tip: When a static field acts as a "running max," remember that instance fields that are only set inside a conditional will hold their default value (0 for int) if the condition never triggers - the constructor parameter name shadows the instance field but doesn't assign it automatically.

Topics

#static variables#instance variables#constructors#default initialization

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