What is the primary use of the "this" keyword in Java?

The "this" keyword in Java is primarily used to refer to the current object instance. When you use "this" within an instance method or constructor, it helps distinguish the instance variable from parameters or other local variables that might have the same name. For example, in a constructor where a parameter shares its name with an instance variable, "this" clarifies that you are referring to the instance variable.

Using "this" can also be valuable for passing the current instance of a class to another method or constructor, or when implementing method chaining by returning "this" from methods. This demonstrates the key role "this" plays in object-oriented programming, allowing for clear and effective manipulation of the current object.