Default constructor in Java - Time & Space Complexity

Time Complexity: Default constructor

O(n)

Understanding Time Complexity

Let's see how the time it takes to run code with a default constructor changes as we create more objects.

We want to know how the work grows when making many objects using the default constructor.

Scenario Under Consideration

Analyze the time complexity of the following code snippet.

public class Box {
    public Box() {
        // Default constructor does nothing special
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int n = 1000;
        for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
            Box b = new Box();
        }
    }
}
    

This code creates n Box objects using the default constructor inside a loop.

Identify Repeating Operations

Identify the loops, recursion, array traversals that repeat.

• Primary operation: Creating a new Box object by calling the default constructor.
• How many times: Exactly n times, once for each loop iteration.

How Execution Grows With Input

Each time we increase n, we create more Box objects, so the work grows directly with n.

Input Size (n)	Approx. Operations
10	10 object creations
100	100 object creations
1000	1000 object creations

Pattern observation: Doubling n doubles the number of objects created and the work done.

Final Time Complexity

Time Complexity: O(n)

This means the time to run grows in a straight line with the number of objects created.

Common Mistake

[X] Wrong: "Creating objects with a default constructor takes constant time no matter how many objects we make."

[OK] Correct: Each object creation takes some time, so making more objects means more total time, growing with n.

Interview Connect

Understanding how object creation scales helps you reason about program speed and resource use in real projects.

Self-Check

What if the constructor did some work like initializing a large array? How would the time complexity change?

Practice

1. What is a default constructor in Java?

easy

A. A method that returns the default value of a class.

B. A constructor with no parameters that Java provides automatically if none is written.

C. A constructor that must always be written by the programmer.

D. A special method that runs only when a program ends.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a constructor is

   A constructor is a special method used to create objects of a class.

2. Step 2: Identify the default constructor

   If no constructor is written, Java automatically provides a constructor with no parameters called the default constructor.

3. Final Answer:

   A constructor with no parameters that Java provides automatically if none is written. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Default constructor = automatic no-parameter constructor [OK]

Hint: Default constructor has no parameters and is auto-created if missing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking default constructor must be written manually
• Confusing default constructor with methods returning default values
• Believing default constructor runs at program end

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax for a default constructor in Java?

easy

A. public ClassName(void) { }

B. public void ClassName() { }

C. public ClassName() { }

D. void ClassName() { }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall constructor syntax

   A constructor has the same name as the class and no return type.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   public ClassName() { } matches the class name and has no return type, so it's correct syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   public ClassName() { } -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Constructor syntax = class name + no return type [OK]

Hint: Constructor name = class name, no return type, parentheses empty [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding void return type to constructor
• Using wrong parameter list syntax
• Using lowercase class name in constructor

3. What will be the output of this Java code?

class Car {
  String model;
}
public class Test {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    Car c = new Car();
    System.out.println(c.model);
  }
}

medium

A. null

B. Empty string

C. Compilation error

D. Runtime exception

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand default constructor usage

   No constructor is defined, so Java provides a default constructor that sets no initial values.

2. Step 2: Check default value of uninitialized String

   Instance variable 'model' is a String and defaults to null if not set.

3. Final Answer:

   null -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Uninitialized String = null by default [OK]

Hint: Uninitialized object fields default to null in Java [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting empty string instead of null
• Thinking default constructor sets values automatically
• Assuming compilation or runtime error

4. Identify the error in this Java class if any:

public class Book {
  String title;
  public Book() {
    title = "Java Basics";
  }
  public Book(String title) {
    title = title;
  }
}

medium

A. The second constructor does not set the instance variable correctly.

B. The default constructor is missing.

C. The class has no constructors.

D. The constructors have wrong return types.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the second constructor

   It assigns parameter 'title' to itself, not to the instance variable.

2. Step 2: Understand correct assignment

   Use 'this.title = title;' to assign parameter to instance variable.

3. Final Answer:

   The second constructor does not set the instance variable correctly. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use 'this' to assign constructor parameters to fields [OK]

Hint: Use 'this.' to assign parameters to instance variables [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assigning parameter to itself instead of instance variable
• Missing default constructor (actually present)
• Adding return types to constructors

5. You want to create a class Person that sets the name to "Unknown" by default if no name is given. Which constructor code correctly implements this using a default constructor?

hard

A. public class Person {
String name;
public Person() {
name = name;
}
}

B. public class Person {
String name = "Unknown";
public Person(String name) {
name = name;
}
}

C. public class Person {
String name;
public Person(String name) {
this.name = name;
}
}

D. public class Person {
String name;
public Person() {
name = "Unknown";
}
public Person(String name) {
this.name = name;
}
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Check default constructor sets default value

   public class Person { String name; public Person() { name = "Unknown"; } public Person(String name) { this.name = name; } }'s default constructor sets name to "Unknown" correctly.

2. Step 2: Verify parameterized constructor sets name properly

   public class Person { String name; public Person() { name = "Unknown"; } public Person(String name) { this.name = name; } } uses 'this.name = name;' to assign parameter to instance variable.

3. Final Answer:

   public class Person { String name; public Person() { name = "Unknown"; } public Person(String name) { this.name = name; } } -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Default constructor sets default value, parameterized sets given value [OK]

Hint: Default constructor sets default values; use 'this' for parameters [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assigning parameter to itself without 'this.'
• Not setting default value in default constructor
• Missing default constructor entirely