Hi Cecilia,
JLS 8.3.1.2 gives the answer:
8.3.1.2 final Fields
A field can be declared final (�4.5.4). Both class and instance variables (static and non-static fields) may be declared final.
It is a compile-time error if a blank final (�4.5.4) class variable is not definitely assigned (�16.7) by a static initializer (�8.7) of the class in which it is declared.
A blank final instance variable must be definitely assigned (�16.8) at the end of every constructor (�8.8) of the class in which it is declared; otherwise a compile-time error occurs.
HIH
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Valentin Crettaz
Sun Certified Programmer for
Java 2 Platform
[This message has been edited by Valentin Crettaz (edited November 25, 2001).]