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Scope and lifetime are distinct yet related issues inprogramming languages. Lang

ID: 3619379 • Letter: S

Question

Scope and lifetime are distinct yet related issues inprogramming languages. Languages can sometimes make designdecisions that cause a conflict between the scope and the lifetimeof variables. Java's decision to allow classes to be defined insidea method illustrates this conflict. Consider the followingexample:

Why does this code fail to compile? Explain the reason behindthis failure in terms of scope and lifetime.

In light of this example, was allowing classes to be definedinside methods a good idea? What was the rationale for this designdecision?

Explanation / Answer

Lifetime is the time a variable exists.