Reassigning class variable

[jose chiramal]

   class Test3
{
   int i = 3;
   public static void main (String [] args)
   {
      Test3 obj1 = new Test3 ();
      System.out.println ("obj1.i = " + obj1.i);
      obj1.printHello ();
      Test3 obj2 = new Test3 ();
      obj1.i = 5;  // can we reassign ?  I know its compiles perfectly, but was wondering how we could reassign the variable i ? Doesnt the compiler compain ?
      System.out.println ("obj1.i = " + obj1.i);
      obj1.printHello ();
      System.out.println ("obj2.i = " + obj2.i);
      obj2.printHello ();
   }
   void printHello ()
   {
      System.out.println ("Hello! i = " + i + "\n");
   }
}
 

Here i is a class variable, are we allowed to change value assigned to class varaible ?

[D. Ogranos]

You can reassign any variable that is not marked "final". Note however that what you have in your example is NOT a class variable (marked with "static"). Class variables only exist once, regardless how many object instances you create. So if one object changes the value, all other instances will see the change. Instance variables (such as your variable "i") on the other hand exist for each object instance, so a change in one instance won't be noted in any other instance.

[jose chiramal]

Thanks a lot for your response