Examine this excerpt from the declaration of the java.se module: module java.se { requires transitive java.sql; ... } What does the transitive modifier mean?

Question

Options

• AOnly a module that requires the java.se module is permitted to require the java.sql module.
• BAny module that requires the java.se module does not have to require the java.sql module.
• CAny module that attempts to require the java.se module actually requires the java.sql module instead.
• DAny module that requires the java.sql module does not need to require the java.se module.

• A
  81% (22)
• B
  4% (1)
• C
  4% (1)
• D
  11% (3)

Explanation

There is an error in this question's answer key - the correct answer is actually B, not A.

requires transitive java.sql in java.se creates implied readability: any module that requires java.se automatically reads java.sql without needing to declare it explicitly. This is precisely what B states - modules requiring java.se do not have to also declare requires java.sql.

Why the distractors fail:

• A is wrong because it says only modules requiring java.se are permitted to require java.sql - that's a false restriction. Any module can freely declare requires java.sql directly, regardless of java.se.
• C is wrong because requires transitive does not redirect or replace the requiring module's dependency - it adds implied readability on top.
• D is wrong because the relationship is one-directional: java.sql depending on something tells you nothing about needing java.se.

Memory tip: Think of requires transitive as a gift of readability. If a module gives you requires transitive X, it's gifting you the ability to read X for free - you don't need to unwrap it yourself. Transitive = "I'll cover it for you."

Note for exam takers: If you encounter this exact question on your exam, answer B. The answer key provided here appears to contain a typo or error.

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