AP® Computer Science A glossary

Dot operator

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

The . used to call a method on an object (p.grow(5)) or a class method with the class name (Math.abs(-3)).

Appears in the course and exam description (CED): 1.10.A.21.14.A.1

Before the dot comes the object (for an instance method) or the class name (for a class method); after it comes the method call.

String w = "data";
System.out.println(w.length());
System.out.println(Math.abs(-3));

Output:

4
3

Related terms

• Instance method
• Class method