Static keyword

Definition

The static keyword in Java is used to declare a variable, method, or nested class as belonging to the class itself, rather than to an instance of the class. Static members are shared among all instances of a class and can be accessed without creating an object of that class.

Related terms

Instance Variable:

A variable that belongs to each individual instance (object) of a class and has separate values for each instance.

Non-static Method: A method that operates on specific instances (objects) of a class and can access non-static variables.

Static Block: A block of code enclosed within curly braces that runs once when the class is loaded into memory, before any objects are created.