Static overridden method

[kedar parundekar]

class Fig
{
--------
-------
static void show()
{
System.out.println("In Fig show()");
}
}
class Rect extends Fig
{
-------
-------
static void show()
{
System.out.println("In Rect show()");
}

public static void main(String args[])
{
Fig f;
f =new Rect(5);
f.show();
}

}// end of class

Question : why f.show() statement invoke show method from Fig class ? why not from invoke overidden method from Rect class?

[Jeff Albertson]

What overridden method?

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

Static methods are not polymorphic. That means that the compiler decides what method to call at compile time based on the static type of the reference. Since you're calling the method via a reference of type "Fig", the compiler hard-codes "Fig.show()" into the class file. No dynamic lookup is done at runtime.

When you redefine a static method in a subclass, you're merely "hiding" the base class's method -- you're not overriding it, because the term "overriding" implies polymorphic behavior.

[Venkataramana Pasula]

kedar parundekar,
First of all,Did your code compile?.The follwoing will not compile.Because there is no constructor defined.
Fig f = new Rect(5);

And also you cann't override static methods.

[Neha Mohit]

Are Static methods inherited ? , i think they are but why. Static methods / variables are class property and not object property,then why are inherited .


tjanx in advance .

[Ilja Preuss]

Originally posted by Neha Mohit:
Static methods / variables are class property and not object property,then why are inherited .

What does the first have to do with the second in your opinion?

[Neha Mohit]

Originally posted by Ilja Preuss:


What does the first have to do with the second in your opinion?

I think , class property should be specific to the class.


regards

[Ilja Preuss]

Originally posted by Neha Mohit:
I think , class property should be specific to the class.

Well, I guess from a purely philosophical point of view, you might be right.

But the more important question to answer for me is: would it make the live of the programmer easier or harder?