How to return a Set in Java

Question

I have a class, classA, that has a constructor which uses objects from another class, classB. I use these objects of classB to form a set in classA. Now, I have a method in classA that is setup to return the elements of the set created in the constructor.

This is where my issue is: I can't figure out the correct syntax to return the set elements.

This is my code:

package testing;
import java.util.*;

public class classA {

    public classA(classB x, classB y) {
        Set<classB> setElements = new HashSet<classB>();
        setElements.add(x);
        setElements.add(y);

    public set<classB> getElements() {
        return setElements; //THIS IS WHERE MY ERROR IS. HOW DO I RETURN A SET?

Answer 1

Scope matters. You restricted the scope of your set to constructor. Make it an instance member. You are able to return it then.

 Set<classB> setElements = new HashSet<classB>();
 public classA(classB x, class B y) {
        setElements.add(x);
        setElements.add(y);