static keyword

[lala]

Hello.
I am new to java. I thought you only put one static statement in the code, "public static void main(String[] args)"

But this code has more than one static statement.

What is the difference between the first 2 static statements & the ""public static void main(String[] args)" statement? Why have both? Why not put the 1st two static statements under the public static... statement? Is this example trying to show me different ways of using static? Thanks In Advance.

import java.util.*;    
public class Ex2_26 		//Pg. 75
{ 							// Beginning of class 
	static final int NUMBER = 12;
	static Scanner console = new Scanner(System.in);
	public static void main(String[] args)
	{
		int firstNum;
		int secondNum;
		
		firstNum = 18;
		System.out.println("Line 11: firstNum = "
						   + firstNum); 	// output the value of firstNum
		System.out.print("Line 12: Enter an integer: ");
		secondNum = console.nextInt(); // read & store the integer into the variable secondNum
		System.out.println();
		
		System.out.println("Line 15: secondNum = "
				   + secondNum);
		
		firstNum = firstNum + NUMBER + 2 * secondNum;
		
		System.out.println("Line 17: The new value of " +
						   "firstNum = " + firstNum);	
			
		}
}

[AcousticBruce]

Hey lala, good question. It helps so much to understand the logic doesn't it?

Anyway I am relatively new to understanding this subject so I will do my best.

Perhaps its trying to show you that those must be static in order for the main method to use them. Here is something more simple to look at.


pubNum is not accessible. but the staticNum which is static is.

Also you cannot declare a public private or static variable in the main method.

public class TestClass {

	static int staticNum = 12;
	public int publicNum = 24

    public static void main(String[] args)	{
        System.out.println(staticNum); [COLOR="Red"]// this works[/COLOR]
        System.out.println(publicNum); //[COLOR="Red"] this does NOT work. [/COLOR]
    }

}

Why is the main method static? This is probably out of my league right now.
I tried googling it and found some interesting stuff. It just seems a bit out of my league right now.

[sunde887]

Im also fairly new but here is what I have to say. I believe this is a fairly accurate explanation, although, I am sure a more experienced programmer will explain it better.

Static allows a method to be used by multiple objects.

Lets say you create a static method called Print, which really just allows you to use the words print("some item"); instead of System.out.println("blah"); in order for the static item to be used anywhere it needs to be static.
To create the print method you would create a class called Print which has all the overloaded definitions of print. Normally if you wanted to use a method from a class, you would have to create an instance of that class:

Print x = new Print();

static allows you to use the method without an instance of the object.

The static keyword is a bit challenging for me to explain, I understand it though.

The “static� Keyword In Java

This link might be useful to you.

static comes in handy for utility type methods:

class RandomClass
{
  public static int mult3(int x, int y, int z)
  {
     return x * y * z;
   }
}

public class Blah
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
    System.out.println(mult3(10, 20, 5);
}
}

You can make a call to that method without creating an object first.

[AcousticBruce]

It really can get pretty complex trying to explain static.

When you are dealing with multiple classes and polymorphism, I can see where static really gets useful.

Have you messed with multiple classes and creating objects yet?

If not that's ok. You can practice LOTS of stuff without understanding static. Once you start learning more basics you go back to an area you were having trouble and for some reason it makes more sense.

[Iron Lion]

Why is the main method static? This is probably out of my league right now.

The main method needs to be static because the JVM calls it before any objects exist.

[lala]

Thanks for responding AcousticBruce, IronLion, & sunde887.

Great input, & lots for me to gnaw on. :-) As my foray ino the world of Java progresses, I'm sure I will understand better.
Thanks again. :)

[AnanthNag.Kundanala]

Hello lala,

' static ' is a keyword used to represent a class level variable or method .

You can access those variables or methods by using your classname directly.

Even you can access them by the object of that class like nonstatic members.

But the main difference between static & non static variables & methods is :

In static mode :

the change updated by one object can reflect to the value which will be used by all rest of the objects...

where as , the nonstatic variables are concern , there is a seperate copy for each and every object...

Here the key points which can helps you a lot ...

1.
From non static block , you can access both static & nonstatic members of the class.

2 . From the static block , you can access only static members of the class.

Here members in the sense , both variables and methods ....

[lala]

Thanks AnanthNag.

Soooo, in my example why have both? Why not put the 1st two static statements under the public static... statement?

Thanks

[lala]

After more reading & playing, i get "static".

thanks everyone.

[Jodokus]

It's no public static statement but a method-declaration (of the main method).
The first two static declarations (and initializations) are global statics. They have (if properly declared private which they are not) global scope in the class (now in the package). Maybe console needs applicationwide scope, than make it public. Other variables, like firstnum, have method-scope. There is no limit on the number of statics as you suggested, but most variables are bound to instances of a class, not to the Class as such, like others explained already.
There are properties of cats in general (mean and furry) and of a particular cat (sweet).

[lala]

yes, yes Jodokus. I'm grinning from ear to ear, because i understand what u r saying.

The 1st two static static statements will be accessible throughout the program.

Ahhhhh...Understanding. It's a beautiful thing.

[AcousticBruce]

Hey Lala,

This might help you see static in a new light.

there is two variable one is static inGarage and one public thisType. Notice how one counts up an inGarage keeps going up while thisType is doesn't. This is because thisType is not static and has a separate thisType varaible for each object. There is only one static variable inGarage that they all share.


I used polymorphism to extend Vehicle class, that is what all the extra classes are for... if you do not understand this topic, do not worry, just worry about the static and public variables at least in this example :)

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args)	{

        System.out.println();
        Vehicle[] vehicle = new Vehicle[5];
        vehicle[0] = new Car();
        vehicle[1] = new Truck();
        vehicle[2] = new Truck();
        vehicle[3] = new Truck();
        vehicle[4] = new Van();

        System.out.println();
        System.out.printf("You have %d total vehicles", Vehicle.inGarage);
        System.out.println();



    }
}

Vehicle class code.

public class Vehicle {

    public int thisType = 0; // change this from public to static if you want.
    static int inGarage = 0; // if you change this you get an error because of Vehicle.inGarage in main method.

    Vehicle() {
        inGarage++;
        thisType++;
        System.out.printf("%d new %s and ", thisType, this.getClass().toString().substring(6));
        System.out.printf("%d total", inGarage);
        System.out.println();
    }
}
class Van extends Vehicle {
}
class Car extends Vehicle {
}
class Truck extends Vehicle {
}

[Jodokus]

@AcousticBruce:
At first I thought your program was wrong (I looked at the code and thought, "this isn't working", only then I saw that you instructed OP to change static for public). Now I think it's confusing because the variable is called "carsInGarage" in stead of "vehiclesOfThisKindInGarage".
@OP:
public static variables have a special role because once initialized they are seen everywhere and always in your program ("always" means: you don't first have to make a new class instance to access the variable).
There are also static methods. They are often little tool-methods found in libraryclasses and just do something irrespective of the containing class, like in the old days before Object Oriented Programming.

[goldest]

As everyone is going static, I would like to discuss one more use of static keyword.

There are "static" initializers in java, also known as static blocks. They get loaded at the time of class loading and can be used for class initialization stuff as per your need.

The syntax is,

static {  }

Have a look at the following simple example,

public class StaticInitializer {
	public static void main(String args[]) {
	}

	static {
		System.out.println("I will load before anything else in this class.");
	}
}

The main method does nothing, but when you run this, the contents inside static block will get executed.

Just for fun,

Goldest

[AcousticBruce]

@AcousticBruce:
At first I thought your program was wrong (I looked at the code and thought, "this isn't working", only then I saw that you instructed OP to change static for public). Now I think it's confusing because the variable is called "carsInGarage" in stead of "vehiclesOfThisKindInGarage".
...

I can see where you are coming from. The main idea was to just count the new Vehicles. When it is static it does just that.
i just edited the code so it makes more sense... please let me know if this is confusing, that is the last thing I wanted to do.



Main

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args)	{

        System.out.println();
        Vehicle[] vehicle = new Vehicle[5];
        vehicle[0] = new Car();
        vehicle[1] = new Truck();
        vehicle[2] = new Truck();
        vehicle[3] = new Truck();
        vehicle[4] = new Van();

        System.out.println();
        System.out.printf("You have %d total vehicles", Vehicle.inGarage);
        System.out.println();



    }
}

Vehicle and extending classes

public class Vehicle {

    public int thisType = 0; // change this from public to static.
    static int inGarage = 0; //

    Vehicle() {
        inGarage++;
        thisType++;
        System.out.printf("%d new %s and ", thisType, this.getClass().toString().substring(6));
        System.out.printf("%d total in garage.", inGarage);
        System.out.println();
    }
}
class Van extends Vehicle {
}
class Car extends Vehicle {
}
class Truck extends Vehicle {
}

[Jodokus]

Hello AcousticBruce
I'm very confused, but not about your new code, that looks good.
No offence, but I'm confused because your code in the thread upon which I reacted has also changed in the new version. That version had no subclasses and made new Vehicles. I keep rechecking. Have senior members the power to change history in the thread? I really not get it.

[Jodokus]

Hello AcousticBruce

Correction, I made a mistake. I see that I too have the power to edit my contributions. (I'm rather new to forums.) But is it the right way to do? Should a thread not mirror the history of discussions, except gross (writing-)errors? No one now knows what I reacted on.
But maybe now I'm going to correct stupid embarrassing remarks I made in other threads ;>)

[lala]

Acoustic, i will check out your code and let you know the results.

Many thanks

[AcousticBruce]

Hello AcousticBruce

Correction, I made a mistake. I see that I too have the power to edit my contributions. (I'm rather new to forums.) But is it the right way to do? Should a thread not mirror the history of discussions, except gross (writing-)errors? No one now knows what I reacted on.
But maybe now I'm going to correct stupid embarrassing remarks I made in other threads ;>)

Actually you are right. I like that philosophy. That makes perfect sense. I will from now on not go back and change my posts, because it can confuse and that is what new posts are for.

[Jodokus]

@AcousticBruce,
Thanks for the reply. Maybe make it static, for the world to know :>)

Jodokus