Java Method invocation vs using a variable

Question

Recently I got into a discussion with my Team lead about using temp variables vs calling getter methods. I was of the opinion for a long time that, if I know that I was goin

Answer 1

If you keep the code evolution in mind, simple getters in v1.0 tend to become not-so-simple getters in v2.0.

The coder who changes a simple getter to not-so-simple getter usually has no clue that there is a function that calls this getter 10 times instead of 1 and never corrects it there, etc.

That's why from the point of view of the DRY principal it makes sense to cache value for repeated use.

Answer 2

Your lead is correct. In modern versions of the VM, simple getters that return a private field are inlined, meaning the performance overhead of a method call doesn't exist.