Pass by reference vs Pass by value in java

Pass by value

Methods become very poewerful by using parameters.  In method signature a number of  paramters of primitive data type can be defined. When calling a method you must have to provide arguments. For example, the following program print n value and int n is a formal parameter in this method and will accept one argument of type int.

public void printN(int n){
System.out.println(n);
}

Note :

• When a method is called with a parameter, the value of argument is passed to parameter is known as pass by value
• if the argument is a variable then value of variable is passed to parameter
• The arguments must match the order of parameter
• The number of arguments must be same as number of parameters
• The type of arguments must be compatible as defined in method signature

Pass by reference

• if we can pass primitive (int and double ) values then we can also pass objects
• Passing an object, actually we are passing the reference of an object
• Java uses only one mode of passing arguments that is passing by value. When an object is passed actually it will send a value representing that object. This value is a reference to that object. We have two type of values here : passing primitve type of value and reference type of value

Example 1:

Example 2:

Memory Allocation Diagram

References

[1] Introduction to Java Programming, Comprehensive Version plus MyProgrammingLab with Pearson eText (9th Edition)