B4J Question Initialization questions

[wl]

Hi,

I'm not quite sure how initialization works.

I often use a method that returns some object. Under some conditions such a method could just return null

Sub SomeMethod as SomeObject
  if (some condition) then
    Dim obj as SomeObject
    obj.initialize
    return obj
  else
    return null
  end if
end sub

I sometimes encounter problems if checking the return of this method by means of:

  if SomeMethod = Null then ...

I then check on "IsInitialized" but I can't seem to understand what "initialization" does. Some kind of construction, but still ...

Also: if I create a custom class can I cann my "initialization" method any name ?

Tx

 

[Erel]

What is SomeObject? Is this a class of yours?

You cannot change the name of the Initialize method.

 

[wl]

What is SomeObject? Is this a class of yours?

You cannot change the name of the Initialize method.

Hi Erel,

Indeed, in fact I meant:

Sub SomeMethod as SomeClass
  if (some condition) then
    Dim obj as SomeClass
     obj.initialize
     return obj
  else
    return null
  end if
end sub

When calling this method, should I check with "IsInitialized" or check on <> null ?

I noticed some classes have two initialization methods (Initialize and Initialize2) ? If the name is fix, how many Initialize methods can you have then ?

Tx

 

[Erel]

Each class has a single Initialize method which you need to call.

You should check for null with this code.

 

[wl]

Hi Erel,

I meant for example the List class which has 2 initialize methods (called initialize and initialize2, probably due to lack of method overloading) ?
Or is this because List is an internal class and that custom classes can't have more than the standard "initialize" ?


Also: I understand I need to check with <> NUll, but then when exactly would you use "IsInitialized" ?

Thanks

 

[Erel]

Internal classed are not identical to "user" classes.

With internal classes the most correct check is:

If Res <> Null AND Res.IsInitialized Then

The reason is that some type of classes (classes that inherit from AbsObjectWrapper) are handled in a slightly different way by the compiler.