Difference between public static and public in Java
In Java, the keywords “public” and “static” are frequently used to define the accessibility and scope of class members. While both are used to declare variables, methods, and constructors, they serve different purposes and have distinct implications for how they are accessed and used within a program. Understanding the difference between public static and public is crucial for writing effective and maintainable Java code.
Public members are accessible from any part of the program, including other classes and packages. This accessibility is determined by the access modifier, which is the first keyword in a class declaration. When a member is declared as public, it can be accessed from any other class or package, regardless of the class hierarchy or package structure.
On the other hand, the static keyword is used to define a member that belongs to the class itself, rather than to any specific instance of the class. Static members are shared among all instances of the class and can be accessed without creating an object of the class. This makes static members useful for constants, utility methods, and variables that do not change their value during the execution of the program.
Here are some key differences between public static and public in Java:
1. Accessibility:
– Public members are accessible from any part of the program.
– Public static members are also accessible from any part of the program, but they are associated with the class itself rather than with any specific instance.
2. Scope:
– Public members can be accessed from any class or package.
– Public static members can be accessed from any class or package, but they are associated with the class itself and not with any instance.
3. Inheritance:
– Public members can be inherited by subclasses.
– Public static members cannot be inherited by subclasses, as they are associated with the class itself.
4. Usage:
– Public members are typically used to define variables, methods, and constructors that need to be accessed from outside the class.
– Public static members are used to define constants, utility methods, and variables that are shared among all instances of the class.
In conclusion, the difference between public static and public in Java lies in their accessibility, scope, inheritance, and usage. While public members are accessible from any part of the program and can be inherited by subclasses, public static members are associated with the class itself and cannot be inherited. Understanding these differences is essential for writing well-structured and efficient Java code.
