Primary constructor and init blocks in Kotlin - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of init block with primary constructor

What is the output of this Kotlin code?

Kotlin

class Person(val name: String) {
    init {
        println("Hello, $name")
    }
}

fun main() {
    val p = Person("Anna")
}

A Hello, name

B Compilation error

C No output

D Hello, Anna

💡 Hint

The init block runs right after the primary constructor.

The init block runs immediately after the primary constructor. It prints "Hello, Anna" because the name property is initialized with "Anna".

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Value of property after init block

What is the value of 'age' after creating the object?

Kotlin

class User(val name: String, val birthYear: Int) {
    val age: Int
    init {
        age = 2024 - birthYear
    }
}

fun main() {
    val u = User("Tom", 1990)
    println(u.age)
}

A Compilation error

B 0

C 34

D 1990

💡 Hint

Age is calculated in the init block using birthYear.

The init block calculates age as 2024 - 1990 = 34, so u.age is 34.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Multiple init blocks execution order

What is the output of this Kotlin code?

Kotlin

class Box(val width: Int) {
    init {
        println("First init: width = $width")
    }
    init {
        println("Second init: width * 2 = ${width * 2}")
    }
}

fun main() {
    val b = Box(5)
}

A

First init: width = 5
Second init: width * 2 = 10

B

Second init: width * 2 = 10
First init: width = 5

C First init: width = 5

D Compilation error

💡 Hint

Init blocks run in the order they appear in the class.

Init blocks run top to bottom. First prints width, then prints width * 2.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Property initialization with primary constructor and init

What is the output of this Kotlin program?

Kotlin

class Rectangle(val height: Int, val width: Int) {
    val area: Int
    init {
        area = height * width
    }
}

fun main() {
    val r = Rectangle(3, 4)
    println(r.area)
}

A 7

B 12

C 0

D Compilation error

💡 Hint

Area is calculated in the init block from height and width.

The init block sets area to 3 * 4 = 12, so printing r.area outputs 12.

❓ Predict Output

expert

Effect of property shadowing in init block

What is the output of this Kotlin code?

Kotlin

class Sample(x: Int) {
    val x: Int = x + 1
    init {
        println(this.x)
    }
}

fun main() {
    val s = Sample(5)
}

A 6

B 5

C Compilation error

D Runtime error

💡 Hint

Class property shadows constructor parameter; init uses property.

The property 'x' is initialized to 5 + 1 = 6. The init block prints the property value 6.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the init block in a Kotlin class with a primary constructor?

easy

A. To declare secondary constructors

B. To run additional code right after the primary constructor initializes properties

C. To define class-level constants

D. To override functions from a superclass

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of primary constructor

   The primary constructor initializes the properties of the class when an object is created.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose of the init block

   The init block runs immediately after the primary constructor to execute extra setup code or validations.

3. Final Answer:

   To run additional code right after the primary constructor initializes properties -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Init block = extra setup after constructor [OK]

Hint: Init blocks run right after primary constructor [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing init block with secondary constructor
• Thinking init block declares constants
• Assuming init block overrides superclass methods

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to declare a primary constructor with two parameters name and age in Kotlin?

easy

A. class Person(name: String, age: Int) { }

B. class Person { constructor(name: String, age: Int) }

C. class Person(name String, age Int) { }

D. class Person(name: String; age: Int) { }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Kotlin primary constructor syntax

   Primary constructor parameters are declared in parentheses after the class name, separated by commas, with types after colons.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   class Person(name: String, age: Int) { } uses correct syntax: parentheses, commas, colons for types. Options A, B, and D have syntax errors.

3. Final Answer:

   class Person(name: String, age: Int) { } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Primary constructor = class Name(params) [OK]

Hint: Primary constructor parameters go inside parentheses after class name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using semicolons instead of commas
• Omitting colons before types
• Confusing primary with secondary constructor syntax

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

class User(val name: String) {
    init {
        println("Welcome, $name!")
    }
}

fun main() {
    val user = User("Anna")
}

medium

A. Compilation error

B. Welcome, name!

C. No output

D. Welcome, Anna!

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand object creation and init block

   When creating User("Anna"), the primary constructor sets name to "Anna" and then the init block runs.

2. Step 2: Analyze the init block output

   The init block prints "Welcome, $name!" where $name is replaced by "Anna".

3. Final Answer:

   Welcome, Anna! -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Init block prints welcome message with name [OK]

Hint: Init block runs on object creation, prints with property values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting no output because println is inside class
• Confusing variable interpolation syntax
• Thinking init block runs only on demand

4. Identify the error in this Kotlin class:

class Product(val id: Int) {
    init {
        println("Product ID: $productId")
    }
}

medium

A. Init block cannot use println

B. Primary constructor must be empty

C. Variable productId is not declared

D. Class must have a secondary constructor

Solution

1. Step 1: Check variable usage in init block

   The init block tries to print productId, but the class has only id declared.

2. Step 2: Confirm variable declaration

   Since productId is not declared anywhere, this causes a compilation error.

3. Final Answer:

   Variable productId is not declared -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use declared property names in init block [OK]

Hint: Use exact property names inside init blocks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming init block can't use println
• Thinking primary constructor must be empty
• Believing secondary constructor is mandatory

5. You want to create a Kotlin class Employee with a primary constructor that takes name and salary. You also want to print a welcome message and calculate a 10% bonus right after object creation. Which is the best way to do this?

hard

A. Use primary constructor for parameters and an init block to print message and calculate bonus

B. Use only secondary constructors for all initialization

C. Put all code inside the primary constructor parentheses

D. Use companion object to run code after object creation

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand primary constructor role

   Primary constructor is for receiving parameters and initializing properties simply.

2. Step 2: Use init block for extra setup

   Init block runs after constructor to print messages and calculate bonus, keeping code organized.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Secondary constructors are unnecessary here; code can't go inside constructor parentheses; companion object is unrelated.

4. Final Answer:

   Use primary constructor for parameters and an init block to print message and calculate bonus -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Primary constructor + init block = clean setup [OK]

Hint: Use init block for extra setup after primary constructor [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to put logic inside constructor parentheses
• Using secondary constructors unnecessarily
• Misusing companion object for instance initialization