Help with Statics

[Randall W. Smith]

//java:rws: junk.java
public class junk {
static int x = prt("asdf");
//public static void main(String[] args) {
//}

static int prt(String s){
System.out.println(s);
return (47);
}

}

If you save and run, the "asdf" will print right before you get an error message about not having a main method. From my reading, Statics are supposed to be initialized in textual order. As you can see my method prt is defined after it is called. I'm also surprised that I'm able to get output without a main method.
Of course, if you don't comment out the main method it will run without errors but how is it able to load the prt method given the "textual order?"
Here's the output:
C:\java>java junk
asdf
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: main

[Nura Horne]

As far a s I know it doesn't matter where your methods are defined in Java code so the fact that it is after main does not matter.

[Chad McGowan]

When junk.class is loaded, static variables are initialized first. Since the initialization of static variable x calls the prt method, this method is executed before the main() is called. Next main() is attempted, which throws a NoSuchMethodException.