java - Input variable created at Main is a different value to that created in Method -

i have created method gets input user. however, issue when attempt return value of method, continuously asks new number input. instead, want ask number once, return it.

for example: following code illustrates want achieve without method, including within method causes difficulties:

working code inside main:

 public static void main(string[] args) {     scanner input = new scanner(system.in);      int age;       system.out.print("enter age: ");      age = input.nextint();       system.out.print("/nyou're " + age + " years of age.");   } 

however, when try within method, have difficulties:

code inside method:

  public static int getage() {        scanner input = new scanner(system.in);       int number;         number = input.nextint()       return number;     } 

the issue is, whenever try print system.out.print(getage()); asks number each time. why first code allow me print age without asking new number, calling method print number causes issues , continues ask new number.

effectively, want call method, ask number input once, call method return number user has entered.

its not having code job, design. recommend below approach, features are:

• a utility class , generic method promptuserinput prompt user input, passing message
• it return string object, convert other objects required.
• if want access other methods/classes, store instance variable, else use print or whatever plan.

you can handle scanner object close once done, , parent thread ready die, need change.

p.s.: intention not providing chunk of codes make think how design. so, may need change per requirement, scenarios , test.

code:

public class usertest {         public static void main(string[] args) {         user user = new user();         user.promptuserage();         user.printuserage(user.getuserage());         //do something.         user.printuserage(user.getuserage());         user.promptuserage();         user.printuserage(user.getuserage());     } }  public class user {     private int userage = 0;      public void promptuserage() {         string userinput = apputils.promptuserinput("enter age: ");         userage = new integer(userinput);     }      public int getuserage(){         return userage;     }      public void printuserage(int age){         system.out.print("\nyou're " + age + " years of age.");     } }  public class apputils {     public static string promptuserinput(string message) {         scanner input = new scanner(system.in);          system.out.println(message);         string userinput = input.next();         return userinput;     } }