Only One Object

The program works as you expect. The diagram shows what is happening. The main() method creates a String object that contains the characters "Only One Object." A reference to this object is held in the reference variable message.

A reference to an object is a way to find the object in main memory. If a method has a reference to an object, then it can use that object.

Now an ObjectPrinter object is created and a reference to it is placed in op. In the statement op.print(message), the reference to the object is passed as the value of the parameter. This works just like call by value with a primitive data type, but now the value is a reference.

The invoked method print() uses its formal parameter st to find the object, and print out the object's data.

Only one object exists during a run of this program. However, when the method is called there are two variables that point to the object: message and the parameter st. The parameter works as an alias for the object while the method is active.