Summary

As you learned in this chapter, Java methods start with an access modifier of public, private, protected or blank (default access). This is followed by an optional specifier such as static, final, or abstract. Next comes the return type, which is void or a Java type. The method name follows, using standard Java identifier rules. Zero or more parameters go in parentheses as the parameter list. Next come any optional exception types. Finally, zero or more statements go in braces to make up the method body.

Using the private keyword means the code is only available from within the same class. Default (package private) access means the code is only available from within the same package. Using the protected keyword means the code is available from the same package or subclasses. Using the public keyword means the code is available from anywhere. Static methods and static variables are shared by the class. When referenced from outside the class, they are called using the classname...