Using static class

[ricky gonzalez]

Hi, I wonder how we use static classes. Do we instantiate them? What exactly are they differing from regular classes?
Thanks!

[zulfiqar raza]

Do you mean Static Member classes? also known as Top-Level Nested Classes.
These classes can be used as any regular Top level classes. They can be instantiated without an outer instance associated with them and can also define both static and non-static members, like any top level package member. However they can also access Static members from the enclosing class.
Zulfiqar Raza

[Ajith Kallambella]

A free-standing top level class cannot be static. A static class can exist only within the context of another class. Static InnerClasses are not associated with an instance of outer ( enclosing ) class.

Usually static member classes( aka nested class ) are used as helper classes for the enclosing class.
Hope that helps!
Ajith

[This message has been edited by Ajith Kallambella (edited November 08, 2000).]

[Subha Guhan]

Ajith
I have some doubts if the methods are IMPLICITLY STATIC.
I read in Khalid Nested Top level classes can have both static
and non static methods.
I tried it out

public class outer{
static class inner{

void nonstaticmethod()
{
System.out.println("NON STATIC");
}
static void staticmethod()
{

System.out.println("STATIC");
}

}
public static void main(String s[])
{
outer.inner.staticmethod();
outer.inner.nonstaticmethod();
//the above call to the nonstaticmethod should compile if 
//it is implicitly static, instead gives a compiler error
//If I commented the previous the next call works
outer.inner oi = new outer.inner();
oi.nonstaticmethod();

}
}

Correct me if I am wrong.
Subha

[Ajith Kallambella]

Yes, you are right and my wordings were confusing
I have edited my post to make it clearer
Thanks!
Ajith

[SHALINI PATEL]

Subha,
I have a doubt regarding your example,
Here yu r calling a non static method in the main which is static, Is this valid? I mean by calling it even through object reference i.e o1.nonstaticmethod().......... I cant understand this, can yu explain it more clearly... Hope I dont sound so silly.

SHALINI

[Sasikanth Malladi]

Shalini, a static method can access member variables or methods only thru a reference to an object, so this is perfectly legal and makes sense as well.
HTH
Shashi