can we initialise static variables in static initialization block ?

[jami siva]

Hi JavaAchievers,

im trying to compile the following code,

class Chap3Ex7
{
static
{
static int i=15;
}

{
int i=12;
}

public static void main(String[] args)
{
Chap3Ex7 ch = new Chap3Ex7();
}
}

im getting something related to :

Chap3Ex7.java:6: illegal start of expression
static int i=15;
^
my question is can't we use static variables in static block ,whenever i remove static keyword it is working fine,
i declared same variable i in both Initialisation blocks , i think that is not the problem because of both are having different blocks

Any help please....


Thanks
Sivva

[Paul Clapham]

Sure you can initialize a static variable in a static initializer. You just can't declare a static variable in a static initializer. The latter is what you tried to do. Replace your code by some code which declares a static variable, then uses a static initializer to initialize it.

[Max Rahder]

You've defined the member inside the static block. You need to define it outside the block, and within the block, simply reference it.

static int i;
static {
  i = 15;
}

[Max Rahder]

(You get simultaneous responses when you write your response, take a phone call, then press Submit when you hang up.)

[jami siva]

yes, its working Paul,

i changed my code like this its working

static int i;
static {
i=12;
}

is any more explanation for why we can'nt declare static variables in static block

[Max Rahder]

jami siva wrote:is any more explanation for why we can'nt declare static variables in static block

You are allowed to code a local variable in a block, but you can't declare a member in any block.

static {
  int myVariable = 0; // allowed
  public static myOtherVariable = 18; // not allowed
}

As far as "why" -- that's just the rule. The Java Language Specification says "A block is a sequence of statements, local class declarations and local variable declaration statements within braces." So, members, such as static fields, can't be declared in a block.

[Siva Masilamani]

All the variable declared inside block,method are called Local and the only modifier allowed for local variable is final.

No public,private.... or transient,static,volatile etc are allowed for local variable.

[Rahul P Kumar]

This rule exists because any variable declared within curly braces has scope till those braces. Now when you declare a variable static, you are making it a class variable, which has wider scope than local or instance variable. If static variable was allowed, it could have become conflict of interest. So the rule.

[jami siva]

Thanks guys, i understand