Anything "static" is initialized first by the compiler. Static members are available a) class wide and B) before instantiation of an object derived from the class
Methods are inherently temporary and local in scope. Temporary because variables used in methods are destroyed as soon as the method has done it's work. Anything "static" can also be called "un-changing and available classwide".
HTH
Pete
------------------
PAS
peter@panvox.net 2b | | !2b