Java Academy · Lesson

Pass-by-Value in Java

Understand Java's pass-by-value: primitives vs references, reassignment vs mutation, arrays and immutability pitfalls.

Pass-by-Value in Java is a free Java Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Java Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Pass-by-value overview

Goal: Learn how Java passes parameters. Compare primitives vs references, reassignment vs mutation, arrays, and immutability.

Primitives copy

Primitives are passed by value: the callee gets a copy. Reassigning the parameter does not change the caller's variable.

public class Main {
  static void inc(int x) {
    x = x + 1; // modifies the local copy only
  }
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    int a = 5;
    inc(a);
    System.out.println("a after inc(a) = " + a); // still 5
  }
}

Refs: mutate vs reassign

For objects, the reference is copied. Mutating through it affects the caller's object; reassigning the parameter does not.

public class Main {
  static class Box { int n; }
  static void setTo999(Box b) { b.n = 999; } // mutate via copied reference
  static void reassign(Box b) { b = new Box(); b.n = 123; } // reassign local copy only
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    Box bx = new Box();
    bx.n = 10;
    setTo999(bx);
    System.out.println("after setTo999: bx.n = " + bx.n); // 999
    reassign(bx);
    System.out.println("after reassign: bx.n = " + bx.n); // still 999
  }
}

Arrays: mutate vs reassign

Arrays are objects. Mutate to affect the caller; reassigning the parameter does not replace the caller's array.

public class Main {
  static void fillZero(int[] a) {
    for (int i = 0; i < a.length; i = i + 1) a[i] = 0; // mutate caller array
  }
  static void replace(int[] a) {
    a = new int[] {9, 9, 9}; // reassign local copy of the reference
  }
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    int[] arr = {1, 2, 3};
    fillZero(arr);
    System.out.println("after fillZero: " + arr[0] + "," + arr[1] + "," + arr[2]); // 0,0,0
    replace(arr);
    System.out.println("after replace:  " + arr[0] + "," + arr[1] + "," + arr[2]); // still 0,0,0
  }
}

Immutable vs mutable

String is immutable (returns new objects); StringBuilder is mutable (changes the same instance).

public class Main {
  static void tryChangeString(String s) {
    s = s + "!"; // new String; original unchanged
  }
  static void changeBuilder(StringBuilder sb) {
    sb.append("!"); // mutates same object
  }
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    String s = "hi";
    tryChangeString(s);
    System.out.println("after tryChangeString: " + s); // "hi"

    StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder("hi");
    changeBuilder(sb);
    System.out.println("after changeBuilder:  " + sb.toString()); // "hi!"
  }
}

Swap correctly

Because parameters are copies, swapping primitives inside a method does not affect the caller. Return new values (or a holder object).

public class Main {
  static void trySwap(int a, int b) {
    int t = a; a = b; b = t; // swaps local copies only
  }
  static int[] swap(int a, int b) {
    return new int[] { b, a }; // return results to the caller
  }
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    int x = 1, y = 2;
    trySwap(x, y);
    System.out.println("after trySwap: x=" + x + ", y=" + y); // 1,2
    int[] res = swap(x, y);
    x = res[0]; y = res[1];
    System.out.println("after swap:    x=" + x + ", y=" + y); // 2,1
  }
}

Pass-by-value check

Quick check: Which statement about Java's parameter passing is correct?

Recap & next

Recap: You saw primitives vs references, mutation vs reassignment, arrays as objects, immutability, and a safe swap pattern. Next: Static vs Instance Methods.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Pass-by-Value in Java” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Pass-by-Value in Java” is free to read here on the web, and the Java Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Java Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Pass-by-Value in Java”?

Understand Java's pass-by-value: primitives vs references, reassignment vs mutation, arrays and immutability pitfalls. You practise Java Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Java Academy?

No prior experience is required. Java Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Pass-by-Value in Java” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Java Academy lesson?

Yes. Every Java Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

← Back to Java Academy