Understanding Variable Scope

You've learned that local variables are declared within a method. How many local variables do you see in this example?

public void eat(int piecesOfCheese) {
  int bitesOfCheese = 1;
}

There are two local variables in this method. bitesOfCheese is declared inside the method. piecesOfCheese is called a method parameter. It is also local to the method. Both of these variables are said to have a scope local to the method. This means they cannot be used outside the method.

Local variables can never have a scope larger than the method they are defined in. However, they can have a smaller scope. Consider this example:

3: public void eatIfHungry(boolean hungry) {
4:  if (hungry) {
5:   int bitesOfCheese = 1;
6:  }  // bitesOfCheese goes out of scope here
7:   System.out.println(bitesOfCheese);// DOES NOT COMPILE
8: }

hungry has a scope of the entire method. bitesOfCheese has a smaller scope. It is only available for use in the if statement because it is declared...