Static Nested Class Query

[Manikandan Jayaraman]

LINK: http://www.danchisholm.net/july21/mybook/chapter13/exam1.html

Question 23

class Red {
  private static final int a = 10;  // 1
  protected static int b = 20;      // 2
  int c = 30;                       // 3
  static class StaticNested {
    int d = a;                      // 4
    int e = b;                      // 5 
    int f = c;                      // 6
  }
}
 

A compile-time error is generated at which line?

The answer is Line 6. Why not Line 5. I want an explanation please.

Why the query came to my mind is, a Static inner class is loaded whether or not the enclosing class' instance exist.

Suppose I just instantiate a 'StaticNested' class. Now the class loaded in the JVM is only the 'StaticNested' class and no instance of the enclosing class exist. So, how will the static variable 'b' of the enclosing class be available to the 'StaticNested' class' instance.

Or, if I have wrong interpretations about what all classes are loaded at runtime and about JVM, please explain me on the same. Thanks!
[ October 27, 2004: Message edited by: Barry Gaunt ]

[Edwin Keeton]

Loading a class is not the same thing as creating an instance of the class. Both classes are loaded even though you may have only created an instance of the static inner class.

The static inner class can only access static members of its enclosing class.