Why should I close the scan variable?

Question

I usualy not close the scan and never get an error. But I saw in some codes the scan.close() method. Is it really necessary? What is the problem if I don`t do it?

Answer 1

it won't give any error..
it is similar like handling file.. when u open a file then at the end the file must be closed..
similarly if u don't close the scanner class, the resources allocated for it will ne there until the process get over..
and u don't need to close it unless u r handling multiple of scanner objects..
And JVM usually do it for u.. which increases the time for compiling

Answer 2

@Sami
Slight correction:
The methods are not static, that's why you must create an object of the class to use them.

You also said scan is not a variable, then you said it is a reference variable. 😜

Answer 3

and btw scan is not a local variable.. Scanner is a class of utilities package..
and when u write Scanner scan= new Scanner(System.in); here it can be anything scan, src, obj or anything of your choice
here scan is the reference variable which act as a pointer to the object Scanner(System.in)
now by using scan u can fetch the Scanner class methods like
scan.nextLine();

Answer 4

in general variable we mean either the local or global.. but here it is the reference variable which is sort of pointer

Answer 5

oh yes the methods which ate non-static can be accessed by the reference variable
and the members which are static can be accessed using the class Name directly..
always get confused in it. 😅