Classes

A class is a blueprint for making an object.

Swarm models, like any Java program, are described using one or more classes.

Here's an example of a simple class:

      public class Position {
      public int x;
      public int y;
        
      public Position (int x, int y) {
          this.x = x;
          this.y = y;
        }
        public int getDimensionality () {
          return 2;
        }
      }
    

This class has two variables (x and y), a method for creating itself (Position), and a method that returns number of dimensions in the class.

When a method has the same name as the class, that method is called a constructor. It is possible to have multiple constructors, each that create the object in a different way according to the appropriate use of different parameters.

The modifier public means that an item is visible outside of the class.