Java Problems instantiating object with string parameter

Question

I am trying to do my assignment but I am having a problem instantiating an object that has a String parameter. when I compile and run what I have of the application so far, it returns the String value of "Null" instead of what I expect it to.

This is my abstract Superclass

public abstract class Book
{
//Declaration of class variable
private String title;
protected double price;

// contructor for Book class objects
public Book(String bookTitle)
    {
        bookTitle = title;
    }
//method that gets and returns books title
public String getTitle()
    {
        return title;
    }
//method that gets and returns books price
public double getPrice()
    {
        return price;
    }
//abstract method with no parameters
public abstract void setPrice();
}

This is my subclass

public class Fiction extends Book
{
//subclass contructor
public Fiction(String bookTitle)
{
    //calling superclass constructor
    super(bookTitle);
}
//override annotation and setPrice method override
@Override
public void setPrice()
{
    price = 19.99;
}
}

This is my main method class where the object fictionBook is supposed to be instantiated with the title The White Unicorn. However, for some reason my println is printing out null instead

public class BookTester
{
//Main method
public static void main(String[] args)
{
    //Instantiate object
    Fiction fictionBook = new Fiction("The White Unicorn");
    NonFiction nonFictionBook = new NonFiction("Autobiography of Curtis Sizemore");
    //call to the setPrice() method
    fictionBook.setPrice();
    nonFictionBook.setPrice();
    //Print information on books
    System.out.println("The Fiction book titled \"" + fictionBook.getTitle() + "\"costs $" + fictionBook.getPrice());
}
}

I cannot figure out what the problem is. Can anyone assist me? I also have a subclass for the nonFiction book, but I have not gotten to that point yet.

Don't comment trivialities (Main method, constructor). Somebody who doesn't know what a ctor is, a main method, can't learn it from your comments. — user unknown
– user unknown, Commented May 29, 2012 at 3:56

Dave Newton · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-29 00:09:03Z

7

public Book(String bookTitle)
    {
        bookTitle = title;
    }

You're setting your parameter to the property value--perhaps backwards from what you intended?

answered May 29, 2012 at 0:09

Dave Newton

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1 Comment

Curt Sizemore Over a year ago

Oh wow. I feel dumb. lol Thank you so much! Will accept this answer when available solution worked.

Pramod Kumar · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-29 07:30:48Z

1

Your class should be like this -

public abstract class Book
{
//Declaration of class variable
private String title;
protected double price;

// contructor for Book class objects
public Book(String bookTitle)
    {
        this.title = bookTitle;
    }
//method that gets and returns books title
public String getTitle()
    {
        return this.title;
    }
//method that gets and returns books price
public double getPrice()
    {
        return this.price;
    }
//abstract method with no parameters
public abstract void setPrice();
}

answered May 29, 2012 at 7:30

Pramod Kumar

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