Implicitly declared static nested classes

[Ruediger Waurig]

Hi there,
reading the Java Language Specification in preparation for the SCJP2 exam I came upon a question about nested classes.
There is written:
8.1.2 Inner Classes and Enclosing Instances
An inner class is a nested class that is not explicitly or implicitly declared static.
Can anyone give me an example for a nested class that is implicitly declared static?
Thanks in advance
Ruediger

[Cindy Glass]

(Decided the following is NOT true - Cindy)
I think this might be when you have a static method that has an inner class, the inner class would be implicitely static in that is would not be associated with an instance of the outer class.
This is the example that the JLS gives:

class Outer {
int i = 100;
static void classMethod() {
final int l = 200;
[B]class LocalInStaticContext{   //this is implicitely Static[/B]
int k = i; // compile-time error
int m = l; // ok
}
}
void foo() {
class Local { // a local class
int j = i;
}
}
}

[This message has been edited by Cindy Glass (edited July 26, 2001).]

[Ruediger Waurig]

Thanks for adding the hint '//this is implicitely Static'.
With this answer comes up another question:
(JLS means Java Language Specification)

A member class is a class whose declaration
is directly enclosed in another class or
interface declaration.
(JLS 8.5)
A local class is a nested class (�8) that
is not a member of any class and that has a
name. All local classes are inner classes (�8.1.2).
Every local class declaration statement is
immediately contained by a block. Local class
declaration statements may be intermixed freely
with other kinds of statements in the block.
(JLS 14.3)
An inner class is a nested class that is not explicitly
or implicitly declared static
(JLS 8.1.2)
To put it all together:
A local class is an inner class. An inner class can't be
explicitly or implicitly static.
=> Is the class 'LocalInStaticContext' a local class and hence
can't be implicitly static?
Thanks in advance
Ruediger

[Scott Appleton]

???
Is my JLS outdated? None of the references given match my 2-volume tome.
My JLS 8.5 is Static Initializers and says nothing like the quote given. The same is true for the other quotes.

[Cindy Glass]

Sorry Scott, I should have given the reference:
This if from 8.1.2 Inner Classes and Enclosing Instances
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/jls/second_edition/html/classes.doc.html#262890
It is the second block of sample code given.
However, on re-reading this reference I think that it is a poor example, and NOT what they meant (sorry).
Actually I believe the original quote about classes that are implicitely static probably refers to nested interfaces (which are .class files)

Member interfaces (�8.5) are always implicitly static so they are never considered to be inner classes.

[This message has been edited by Cindy Glass (edited July 26, 2001).]

[Scott Appleton]

Thanks for the clarification, Cindy.
Upon exploring your link I discovered that indeed, my JLS is outdated. I downloaded and printed the pdf all of 2 months ago, but it has since been updated with a new version. Unfortunately, they have altered the references significantly enough that my 850-page document is virtually useless for posting references here. I guess I'm going to have to download the new version and spend another half-day monopolizing the network printer

[Ruediger Waurig]

Thank you for your investigations, Cindy.
I think we've fixed the question very well.
Here are some additional quotes on the topic:

9.5 Member Type Declarations
Interfaces may contain member type declarations (�8.5). A member type declaration in an interface is implicitly static and public.

8.5 Member Type Declarations
A member class is a class whose declaration is directly enclosed in another class or interface declaration.
Regards
Ruediger