How to Get Custom Output from a Java Constructor: Avoiding the Default Object Location

Learn how to customize output in Java constructors by returning formatted values instead of default object references.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/70716331/ asked by the user 'HMNNikoloz' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/15235313/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/70717099/ provided by the user 'Humpity' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2779074/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Creating a Custom Output in Java Constructors: A Step-by-Step Guide

When working with Java, you might find yourself needing to format the output of a constructor in a specific way. A common issue arises when you attempt to print an object created from a class and receive an output that includes its memory location instead of a nicely formatted string. This guide will show you how to customize your output in Java, specifically returning a fraction like 3/2 from a constructor.

The Problem

You are attempting to create a custom output from a constructor in Java, but rather than getting the result you want, you end up with a memory location in the form of Example@ xxxxxxx. This typically happens because, when you print an object directly, Java uses the default toString() method inherited from the Object class, which isn’t helpful for your needs.

Example of the Issue

Consider the following code snippet:

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When you call:

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You receive an output like Example@ 4dd8dc3, which doesn't reflect the values of a and b as you intended.

Your Approach

You attempted to return a string representation of the variables like this:

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This is where the misunderstanding lies: you cannot return a value from a constructor, as constructors do not have a return type.

The Solution

To achieve your desired output, you need to implement a method within your class that computes and returns the formatted result you want. Let’s break this down into actionable steps.

Step 1: Modify the Class

Update your Example class to include a method that computes the fraction.

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Step 2: Create an Instance and Print the Output

Now, in your main class, you can create an instance of your Example class and call the compute() method to print the desired output.

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Step 3: Format the Output (If Desired)

If you specifically want the output as a string like 3/2, you can modify your Example class further:

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And in your Main class, simply call:

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Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively format the output of your Java constructors according to your needs. Remember, constructors aren't designed to return values, but methods within your classes can help obtain and format the results you're after.

Now you're ready to create well-structured, user-friendly outputs in Java! Happy coding!