Modify an array passed as a method-parameter

Question

Suppose I have an int-array and I want to modify it. I know that I cannot assign a new array to array passed as parameter:

public static void main(String[] a         


        

Answer 1

In your method

public static void method(int[] n)

n is another name for the array that way passed in. It points to the same place in memory as the original, which is an array of ints. If you change one of the values stored in that array, all names that point to it will see the change.

However, in the actual method

public static void method(int[] n) {
    int[] temp = new int[]{2};
    n = temp.clone();
}

You're creating a new array and then saying "the name 'n' now points at this, other array, not the one that was passed in". In effect, the name 'n' is no longer a name for the array that was passed in.