why static methods can not be overridden

[teja dharma]

why static methods can not be overridden ?

[Himalay Majumdar]

Because the belong to class..not Object

[Jesper de Jong]

See this in the FAQ: http://faq.javaranch.com/view?OverridingVsHiding

[Guilherme Bazilio]

Static methods cannot be overriden because they belong to the class, not to an instance of that class.
A static method don't need an instance to be accessed.

So, when you think you are overriding a static method, the only thing you are doing is redefining it.

(If I'm wrong just tell me please :P)

[Ram Prasad]

Bazilio is correct.
static methods cannot be overridden.

you can define the same static method in different classes and this mechanism is called redefining. The compiler accepts it and doesn't throw any error. But in run time you wont get the expected results of overriding since it is not actually a overriding.
i guess this should clarify your doubt tejahyd

[sudipto shekhar]

Ram Prasad wrote:Bazilio is correct.
static methods cannot be overridden.

you can define the same static method in different classes and this mechanism is called redefining.

I think it is known as hiding

[Guilherme Bazilio]

sudipo shekhar wrote:
I think it is known as hiding

I think hiding is also a valid name. K&B book calls redefine.