static

Java Static Keyword

The static keyword is used for memory management. It can be applied to variables, methods, blocks, and nested classes. A static member belongs to the class, rather than any specific instance of the class.

Static Variable

class Counter {
    static int count = 0;  // Static variable

    Counter() {
        count++;  // Increment static variable
    }

    void display() {
        System.out.println("Count: " + count);
    }
}

public class StaticExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Counter c1 = new Counter();
        c1.display();

        Counter c2 = new Counter();
        c2.display();
    }
}

In this example, the static variable count is shared among all instances of the Counter class. Each time a new object is created, the count is incremented.

Static Method

class MathUtils {
    static int add(int a, int b) {  // Static method
        return a + b;
    }
}

public class StaticExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int result = MathUtils.add(5, 3);  // Calling static method without object
        System.out.println("Sum: " + result);
    }
}

Static methods can be called without creating an object of the class. In this example, the add() method is static and called directly from the class.