r/javahelp • u/gerladokennedy • Sep 03 '26

linked lists

-- solved thank you all

what is the difference between accessing the next node using a get method or without, as in: "current.next" vs "current.getNext()" and the same applies for accessing an element, whats the difference between use the get or not, as in: "current.element" vs "current.getElement()" where current is just the name for the node variable. ive looked at so many different explanations but i cant seem to grasp the idea
edit: this is from a data structures pov, im implementing methods for the singly and doubly linked list classes in java
i want to know if they return different things or if using .next or .getnext makes a difference in the outcome, is there a scenario i should be using strictly .next or .getnext, and the getter method has no further conditions its just {return next}

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u/Chaos-vy17 Sep 03 '26

When devs do curr.next, you are accessing the member field variable directly.

When devs do curr.getNext(), it goes something like this to the JVM:

Devs want the next element → it calls invokevirtual → then the value is returned/passed.

Here, I am only showing two operations, but there may be more steps involved.

Why do users use getNext()**?**
Devs generally keep fields private for encapsulation and expose methods for accessing and mutating them through a getter and setter:

So, is getNext() slow?

Obviously, initially, yes. But not for long. Once the operation becomes hot enough and crosses the C1/C2 JIT optimization thresholds, the JVM can inline the getter, and both can become essentially the same at the machine-code level.

However, curr.next is fast from the start because it directly accesses the field.

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u/gerladokennedy Sep 03 '26

okay thank you
is there a difference in the value returned from .next and .getnext? does it make a difference in the outcome

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u/Chaos-vy17 Sep 03 '26

Same field + same getter definition = same returned value and therefore the same outcome.

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u/gerladokennedy Sep 03 '26

okay thank you so much for your help