AP® Computer Science A glossary

Call by value

Also called: pass by value

Course: AP® Computer Science A Shows up in: Unit 1: Using Objects and Methods

The way Java passes arguments: each parameter is initialized with a copy of the argument.

Appears in the course and exam description (CED): 1.9.B.31.13.C.3

Because the parameter holds a copy, changing it inside the method does not change the caller’s variable. The copy disappears when the method ends.

public static void addTen(int value)
{
    value = value + 10;
}

// in main
int score = 5;
addTen(score);
System.out.println(score);

Output:

5

Related terms

• Argument
• Parameter