Should I add parameters to instance methods that use those instance fields as parameters?
        Posted  
        
            by 
                john smith optional
            
        on Programmers
        
        See other posts from Programmers
        
            or by john smith optional
        
        
        
        Published on 2012-10-01T09:27:26Z
        Indexed on 
            2012/10/01
            15:52 UTC
        
        
        Read the original article
        Hit count: 454
        
java
|design-patterns
I have an instance method that uses instance fields in its work. I can leave the method without that parameters as they're available to me, or I can add them to the parameter list, thus making my method more "generic" and not reliable on the class. On the other hand, additional parameters will be in parameters list. Which approach is preferable and why?
Edit: at the moment I don't know if my method will be public or private.
Edit2: clarification: both method and fields are instance level.
© Programmers or respective owner