Access "this" from Java anonymous class

Question

Given the following code:

public interface Selectable {
  public void select();
}

public class Container implements Selectable {
  public void select() {
  ...
  }
  public void createAnonymousClass() {
    Selectable s = new Selectable() {
      public void select() {
        //see comment below.
      }
    };
  }
}

I want to access Container.select() from within my anonymous class' select() method. However, this.select() would again call the anonymous class' select() method.

My suggestion would be:

Introduce a field into Container, e.g.

private Container self = this;

Now I can access Container.select() by calling self.select() from within the anonymous class.

Is this a reasonable way? Or are there any better ways?

score 282 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 05 '09 at 14:07

282

Container.this.select();

answered Jul 05 '09 at 14:07

Mykola Golubyev

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3

I didn't know even `this` keywords could be differentiated just as methods and attributes can. +1 – logo_writer Jun 06 '16 at 06:50
It should be noted that you have to specify Exactly `Container` class here. Any of its ancestors won't be accepted. – velis Dec 09 '17 at 13:34
save my... night, maybe ? +1 – Gianmarco Nov 16 '20 at 23:25
what if we try it for the same named an anonymous class and a confidential class? (Supposed not implementing an interface.) – wolfenblut Mar 30 '23 at 13:11

score 43 · Answer 2 · edited May 14 '12 at 01:28

43

You can write Container.this.select() to distinct from the inner class !

edited May 14 '12 at 01:28

Eng.Fouad

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answered Jul 05 '09 at 14:08

PeterMmm

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Access "this" from Java anonymous class

2 Answers2

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