java - When to use field variable?

Question

Under what circumstance would you use field variable instead of local variable? I found it a bit hard to decide when a variable is used in 2 or more methods in a class. I tend to use local variables and pass them to another method.

Thanks,

Sarah

Answer 1

In object-oriented terms, does the variable make sense as an attribute of the object? If so, you should make it a field variable. If not, it can go either way.

Remember the Single Responsibility Principle -- well-designed classes should have only 1 responsibility, and thus only 1 reason to change.