Using “this” with methods (in Java)

Question

what about using \"this\" with methods in Java? Is it optional or there are situations when one needs to use it obligatory?

The only situation I have encountered is

Answer 1

Three obvious situations where you need it:

• Calling another constructor in the same class as the first part of your constructor
• Differentiating between a local variable and an instance variable (whether in the constructor or any other method)
• Passing a reference to the current object to another method

Here's an example of all three:

public class Test
{
    int x;

    public Test(int x)
    {
        this.x = x;
    }

    public Test()
    {
        this(10);
    }

    public void foo()
    {
        Helper.doSomethingWith(this);
    }

    public void setX(int x)
    {
        this.x = x;
    }
}

I believe there are also some weird situations using inner classes where you need super.this.x but they should be avoided as hugely obscure, IMO :)

EDIT: I can't think of any examples why you'd want it for a straight this.foo() method call.

EDIT: saua contributed this on the matter of obscure inner class examples:

I think the obscure case is: OuterClass.this.foo() when accessing foo() of the outer class from the code in an Inner class that has a foo() method as well.