Is it possible static class in Java?
The answer is both "YES" and "NO". Let us see.
Java comes with two types of classes – top-level classes and inner classes (also known as nested classes). A top-level class cannot be static where as a nested class can be static.
Top-level class cannot be static. See the compilation error on static class.
static class Demo
{
// some code here
}
It says access modifier static is not allowed here.
Static nested classes
A class declared in another class is known as nested class.
class OuterOne // top-level class or known as outer class
{
class InnerOne // inner class or nested class
{
}
}
In the above code, OuterOne cannot be static and InnerOne can be declared static as follows.
class OuterOne // top-level class or known as outer class
{
static class InnerOne // inner static class
{
}
}
That is, only nested classes can be declared static. But in general sense, it is not possible.
Nested classes are given a chance because to permit to call the nested classes without creating object of outer class.
Nested classes are discussed elaborately with example, explanation and screenshots at Static Nested Classes
