Definition:

Dependence is a relationship between two classes where one class uses another. It's described as the "uses-a" relationship. Typically the relationship between the two classes is short-term. In Java, the dependence relationship can be best seen when an object is passed as a parameter in a method call. Once the method has finished executing, the object is no longer needed and is discarded.

Examples:

Imagine a Telephone class that allows users to make phone calls. It is a pre-pay system that only allows a user to start a phone call if they have at least five dollars in their account. The user's account details are kept in an Account class:

public class Account {  private BigDecimal balance;  public BigDecimal getBalance()   {     return balance;   }   //rest of account class }public class Telephone {  public void startCall(Account customerAccount)   {     if (customerAccount.getBalance().compareTo(new BigDecimal(5.00)) >= 0)     {       //start call     }   }  //rest of Telephone class }
The Telephone class is using an Account object but once the method has finished executing it will be discarded.

Glossary:

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