What are captured variables in Java Local Classes

Question

The Java documentation for Local Classes says that:

In addition, a local class has access to local variables. However, a local class can only access

Answer 1

A captured variable is one from the outside of your local class - one declared in the surrounding block. In some languages this is called a closure.

In the example from the Oracle Docs (simplified) the variable numberLength, declared outside of class PhoneNumber, is "captured".

final int numberLength = 10;  // in JDK7 and earlier must be final...

class PhoneNumber {
   // you can refer to numberLength here...  it has been "captured"
}