The argument is resolved pretty simply by considering that the term "pass-by-reference" was defined well before Java even existed, and that Java does not exhibi

The argument is resolved pretty simply by considering that the term "pass-by-reference" was defined well before Java even existed, and that Java does not exhibit behavior required of that calling style. (In Java, you cannot change a variable in the caller's scope to point to a different object.) Java is demonstrably not pass-by-reference. But don't take my word for it. Pass-by-reference was understood by the person who invented the calling style used in Java (Barbara Liskov) not to apply to that calling style. [1] The argument was resolved before it could even be had, 44 years ago. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaluation_strategy#Call_by_sharing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaluation_strategy#Call_by_sh...