Why can't I refer to an instance method while explicitly invoking a constructor?

Question

Does anyone know why you can reference a static method in the first line of the constructor using this() or super(), but not a non-sta

Answer 1

See the Java Language Specification 8.8.7.1. This states that

An explicit constructor invocation statement in a constructor body may not refer to any instance variables or instance methods or inner classes declared in this class or any superclass, or use this or super in any expression; otherwise, a compile-time error occurs.

This is because you can not call an instance method before the instance is created. By the way, it is possible to call an instance method later on in the constructor (although not a solution for you).