usage and advantage on static imports

[michael yeung]

In Java 5, it will have a new feature "static imports".
What is the usages and advantages on using static imports?

Thanks!!!

[Pradeep bhatt]

Read this article
http://java.sun.com/developer/JDCTechTips/2004/tt1005.html#1

[Nicholas Cheung]

What is the usages and advantages on using static imports?

Static import allows you to import static variables from other classes (usually, these variables should be constants).

Thus, it provides a simplifed way for you to access the contants. In the past, you need to use package.class.X to access the constant X which defined in package.class, and if there are 10 constants, you need to refer specify each variable with package.class, which is very trouble.

Now, just as classes, you can import those objects statically. However, it turns out some issues that, if class1 and class2 define the constant with the same name, there will be ambigourity if your class need to access both classes.

Nick

[somkiat puisungnoen]

I think, static import feature is not help anythink on coding phase.

(It's make less than of source code) BUT if you use this feature , you have problem when you fixed bug.

[Nicholas Cheung]

That's true, we should try avoid the bad things, however, people might feel happy for using it.

Nick

[Cay Horstmann]

I never use static import, but the folks at Sun say that it is pretty important for people who program a lot of math. For example,

sqrt(pow(x,2) + pow(y,2))

is easier on the eyes than

Math.sqrt(Math.pow(x,2) + Math.pow(y.2))

Cay