static imports

[Rekha Srinath]

Source: Whizlabs, but a bit modified for study

I have two files: test.java in package InnerClass and another file called test1.java.
Code for both is this:

package InnerClass;
public class test {
public static class Utilities{}
public static int x = 200;
}

import InnerClass.test.*; // Line 1
import static InnerClass.test.*;  // Line 2
 
public class test1 {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Utilities u = new Utilities();
System.out.println("x value = " + x);
}
}

If Line 2 in test1.java is commented, I get the error "cannot find symbol x".

I understand that we have to do a static import of x because x is declared static in test.java.

But my doubt is: Even the class Utilities is static in test.java. How come I am able to compile test1.java only with import InnerClass.test.*; ?

I mean, without doing a STATIC import of the static CLASS, I am able to use it. But, the same does not apply to the static VARIABLE x...Any differences?

[Ankit Garg]

static import is needed to import only static methods and fields. import package.class.* is enough to import inner classes...

[Rekha Srinath]

import package.class.* is enough to import inner classes...

So, even for static inner classes, just a normal import package.class.* is enough is it?

[Ankit Garg]

actually if you know there are no inner classes in java. So static inner class and non-static inner class are basically the same (they have some differences but it is not relevant here). So import package.class.* syntax is enough to import all the inner classes i.e. static and non-static...

[Rekha Srinath]

ok Ankit..
But your quote " .........there are no inner classes in java. " what does it mean?

[Ankit Garg]

well if you are really interested in knowing that, you can read my blog. the link is in my signature...

[Rekha Srinath]

Ok fine .. Thanks for the replies