Convert to Instance Method

Last modified: 07 September 2023

Refactor | Convert to Instance Method

This refactoring is also available from UML Class diagram.

Convert to Instance Method refactoring lets you convert a static method to a non-static, class instance method, with a class being the type parameter of the initial method.

Example

Consider classes MyClass, ClassB and ClassB residing in the same package.

As a result, MyClass and ClassB become converted.

Before

After

public class MyClass {
     ClassA classA = new ClassA();
     ClassB classB = new ClassB();

     static public void greatMethod(ClassA classA, ClassB classB){
         System.out.println("classA = " + classA);
         System.out.println("classB = " + classB);
     }
     public void myMethod(){
         MyClass.greatMethod(classA, classB);
     }
}
public class MyClass {
    ClassA classA = new ClassA();
    ClassB classB = new ClassB();

    public void myMethod(){
        classB.greatMethod(classA);
    }
}

public class ClassB {
    public void greatMethod(ClassA classA) {
        System.out.println("classA = " + classA);
        System.out.println("classB = " + this);
    }
}

Convert to instance method dialog

This dialog appears when you invoke the Convert to instance method refactoring.

Item

Description

Select an instance parameter

Select the class you want the method to belong to after the conversion. All the usages of this class inside the method are replaced with this.

Visibility

In this area you can change the visibility scope of the converted method. By default, the converted method will have no scope declaration (equivalent to public).

See also

Refactoring