Linux Format forums

[bobthebob1234]

I'm not to sure what to google so I have come here first.

Here is the problem:
I have two classes, player and maze. The player object is created in the maze. In maze there is a method called checkFreeSpace and in player there is a method called move. I need the move method to use the checkFreeSpace method. Is this possible?

There isn't any inheritance or anything so I don't think parent or super would work?

Thanks
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[ethernet]

Does checkFreeSpace() need to access instance variables in maze?

If you want move to be able to call checkFreeSpace(), is this method public? Depending on what checkFreeSpace() is actually doing, you could make it a static method. So you could then invoke in in player as player.checkFreeSpace() instead of invoking through an instance of player.

Feel free to post the code!

[AndyBaxman]

I assume you mean that the Player Class is created by an instance of the Maze Class.

If this is the case then the simplest solution would be to create a constructor in Player that takes an instance of Maze as its parameter, then store this in a Class instance variable.

Then all you would need to do in the move method would be to call m_myMaze.checkFreeSpace();

If there is only ever going to be one maze, then you could look at using a Singleton pattern. Then you could just:

Maze.getInstance().checkFreeSpace();

With regard to inheritance, there, indeed, shouldn't be any as Player isn't a kind of Maze, or vice-versa.
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Bomb #20: "Let there be light"

[bobthebob1234]

Thanks for the replys.

checkFreeSpace() does access instance variables in maze

[AndyBaxman]

From what you say it seems like you are creating a game with a Maze and a single player.

Possibly the best idea would be to instantiate the Player outside of the maze. While the Player uses the Maze it isn't a part of the Maze, so in strict OO methodology it shouldn't be created by the Maze.

Possibly create a Game Class and then:

[bobthebob1234]

This is some of what I have so far:
RunGame.java - This is run by the user hence the main method

[nicephotog]

It is much better managed this way

Using a "nested subclass" so the subclass can call any of the methods of the super class(does not need to notate super in the code unless preventing "this" class overridden methods of supers methods - anti ambiguity) and has access to all methods and variables of the superclass it is nested in.

In your way where both classes code is separate but in the same package level(folder)...
To access a class methods and variables from the class it was instantiated(started) in, requires the instantiated sub class using java.lang.reflect and java.lang.Class classForName and finding the classloader and thread. ...its excessively difficult for security restriction of access or process.