As Java devs, we often mix these terms. Let’s clear the confusion once and for all.
🔸 FIELDS
▪️ Variables declared inside a class body
▪️ Hold state of an object (instance variables) or of the class (static variables)
🔸 ATTRIBUTES
▪️ Not an official Java keyword
▪️ In UML, “attribute” = class field
▪️ In JPA/JavaBeans, “attributes” = persistent fields/properties
👉 Use “field” in Java code; “attribute” mostly in modeling/docs.
🔸 PARAMETERS
▪️ Formal names declared in methods/constructors
▪️ Exist at declaration timeme)
🔸 ARGUMENTS
▪️ Actual values passed to methods/constructors at runtime
🔸 COMPONENTS (RECORDS)
▪️ Declared in the record header
▪️ Compiler generates private final fields + accessors + constructor
🔸 TL;DR
▪️ Field = variable in a class
▪️ Attribute = synonym in docs/UML (not in Java code)
▪️ Parameter = name at method/ctor declaration
▪️ Argument = value you pass at call site
▪️ Component = record’s declared parts
🔸 TAKEAWAYS
▪️ Use precise terminology in code reviews to avoid miscommunication
▪️ Remember: parameters vs arguments = declaration vs usage
▪️ For records, always say “components” (not fields)
🔸 SUMMARY TABLE
💬 Have you seen these terms used interchangeably in your projects?
#Java #Programming #CleanCode #Developers #SoftwareEngineering #Records #Learning
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