The Java Language Specification, Third Edition

EXPRESSIONS Runtime Evaluation of Method Invocation 15.12.4
◆ If the compile-time declaration has the static modifier, then the invocation
mode is static.
◆ Otherwise, if the compile-time declaration has the private modifier, then
the invocation mode is nonvirtual.
◆ Otherwise, if the part of the method invocation before the left parenthesis is
of the form super . Identifier or of the form ClassName.super.Identifier
then the invocation mode is super.
◆ Otherwise, if the compile-time declaration is in an interface, then the invocation
mode is interface.
◆ Otherwise, the invocation mode is virtual.
If the compile-time declaration for the method invocation is not void, then
the type of the method invocation expression is the result type specified in the
compile-time declaration.
15.12.4 Runtime Evaluation of Method Invocation
At run time, method invocation requires five steps. First, a target reference may be
computed. Second, the argument expressions are evaluated. Third, the accessibility
of the method to be invoked is checked. Fourth, the actual code for the method
to be executed is located. Fifth, a new activation frame is created, synchronization
is performed if necessary, and control is transferred to the method code.
15.12.4.1 Compute Target Reference (If Necessary)
There are several cases to consider, depending on which of the five productions
for MethodInvocation (§15.12) is involved:
• If the first production for MethodInvocation, which includes a MethodName,
is involved, then there are three subcases:
DRAFT
◆ If the MethodName is a simple name, that is, just an Identifier, then there are
two subcases:
❖ If the invocation mode is static, then there is no target reference.
❖ Otherwise, let T be the enclosing type declaration of which the method is
a member, and let n be an integer such that T is the nth lexically enclosing
type declaration (§8.1.3) of the class whose declaration immediately contains
the method invocation. Then the target reference is the nth lexically
enclosing instance (§8.1.3) of this. It is a compile-time error if the nth
lexically enclosing instance (§8.1.3) of this does not exist.
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