Using this(args). The preferred pattern is to work from the smallest constructor to the largest.
public class Cons { public Cons() { // A no arguments constructor that sends default values to the largest this(madeUpArg1Value,madeUpArg2Value,madeUpArg3Value); } public Cons(int arg1, int arg2) { // An example of a partial constructor that uses the passed in arguments // and sends a hidden default value to the largest this(arg1,arg2, madeUpArg3Value); } // Largest constructor that does the work public Cons(int arg1, int arg2, int arg3) { this.arg1 = arg1; this.arg2 = arg2; this.arg3 = arg3; } } You can also use a more recently advocated approach of valueOf or just "of":
public class Cons { public static Cons newCons(int arg1,...) { // This function is commonly called valueOf, like Integer.valueOf(..) // More recently called "of", like EnumSet.of(..) Cons c = new Cons(...); c.setArg1(....); return c; } } To call a super class, use super(someValue). The call to super must be the first call in the constructor or you will get a compiler error.
