In Java, method arguments are passed by value. What does this mean?

In Java, the term "pass by value" refers to the way method arguments are handled when a method is called. This means that when a method is called, a copy of each argument's value is created and passed to the called method. As a result, changes made to these parameters within the method do not affect the original values of the parameters outside the method. Java differentiates between primitive data types (e.g., int, float, and boolean) and reference types (e.g., objects and arrays) when passing method arguments. When passing a primitive data type, Java passes a copy of its value. When passing a reference variable, Java passes a copy of the reference to the method, not the object itself. Consider the following example with a primitive data type argument: ```java public static void main(String[] args) { int number = 10; modifyNumber(number); System.out.println("Number after method call: " + number); // Output: 10 } public static void modifyNumber(int num) { num = num * 2; // Number variable in the main method remains 10; a copy was passed. } ``` Now, consider an example with a reference variable argument: ```java public static void main(String[] args) { int[] numbersArray = {1, 2, 3}; modifyArray(numbersArray); System.out.println("Array after method call: " + Arrays.toString(numbersArray)); // Output: [2, 4, 6] } public static void modifyArray(int[] array) { for (int i = 0; i < array.length; i++) { array[i] = array[i] * 2; } // The array contents are modified, as the reference to the original array was passed. } ``` In summary, Java passes method arguments by value, meaning that a copy of the value or reference is passed to the called method, preserving the original values outside the method.