Java: What is considered more readable, "this" or no "this"

Question

You don't really need to write the "this" keyword in Java. But is it better to do so anyway? Does it make sense to homogenise your style, i.e. if you use "this" once, you use it every time it's implied? Or is there a place where you would always use it and others where you never use it?

Answer 1

The general consensus is that you should use this only when it is necessary and not at any other time.

private String param;
public Construct(String param) {
  // Usually the only place you need to use this.
  this.param = param;
}

// A less common use of this
public Function() {
  synchronized(this) {
    // Some synchronized stuff.
  }
}