compile time constants

[Ravi Bansal]

Can anyone tell me what is compile time constant.

if i declare a final variable like this

final int i=5;

This is a compile time constant

and if i declare like this
final int i;
i=5;

this is not a compile time constant

I want to understand what is a difference between above two intialization of final variables.

[fred rosenberger]

The compiler is dumb. It has a hard time connecting things across multiple lines. Consider that legally, there could be 800 lines of code between those two lines you posted in your second example.

[Campbell Ritchie]

The official definition of a "constant" is in the Java Language Specification (I think, here).

Do a search through this forum for "compile time constant" because that sort of question comes up regularly here. Some people say "runtime constant" but that does not appear to be an official Java term. You should find out about that from your search as well. Good luck with it