Can static methods be overridden

[Venkata Sirish]

Hi,
This is Venkat. I have a doubt regarding " can static methods be overridden " . Please present a reason for your answer.



Thanks in Advance,
Venkat

[Katrina Owen]

Hi Venkat,

Where exactly are you stuck? Are you trying to override a static method and getting strange behavior? If so, what are you observing, and why does it surprise you?

We are happy to help out, but you do need to show some effort, since we generally hold to the view that you will learn something better if you have to think about it than if you are just given the answer.

You may find something of interest in this article.

Cheers,
Katrina
[ April 17, 2008: Message edited by: Katrina Owen ]

[fred rosenberger]

and of course, what happens when you try it?

[camilo lopes]

the methods static aren't overriden. because the methods static they pertence the class

[Parthiban Malayandi]

Hi friends ,

I also learned that we can't override static method .

Here is a simple program to test it

class SuperClass {

static void method(){
System.out.println("I'm from Super Class");
}
}
 
class SubClass extends SuperClass {
 
static void method(){
System.out.println("I'm from Sub Class");
}
}
 
public class StaticTest {
 
private static void toTest(SuperClass obj){
obj.method();            // Although it's not a recommended way to access
                                           // a static but just to test overridding
}

public static void main(String[] args){
SuperClass s1 = new SuperClass();
SuperClass s2 = new SuperClass();
SubClass   s3 = new SubClass();
SubClass   s4 = new SubClass();
 
SuperClass[] objectsArray = {s1,s2,s3,s4};

for(int i=0;i<objectsArray.length;i++){
toTest(objectsArray[i]);  // If it's overridden means at run time
                                            // JVM invokes the object's overridden method
  
}
}
}

This is even stated in JavaRanch FAQ
http://faq.javaranch.com/view?OverridingVsHiding
[ April 17, 2008: Message edited by: Parthiban Mahiby ]