main() method in array of objects

Question

I have just started learning Java and going through Heard up series. I see few examples where a class is created and has main in it and inside main, an object of the class is created. As main () is also part of the same class, is this ok? When you create a new Object, does it also create multiple copies of main () ? How does compiler decode this?

Sample code snippet explaining the problem

public class Hobbits {
    int size;

    public static void main(String [] args) {
        Hobbits h = new Hobbits[3];  
        // This is my point of concern. 
        // Here i create array of objects but each Object would have main class?
    }
}

LionC · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-13 14:51:32Z

1

The main-method is a static method. Static methods do not reference single objects, think of them as methods of a class instead of an object - they do not need any objects to work. Read this for further explanations.

edited Nov 13, 2014 at 14:51

answered Nov 13, 2014 at 14:43

LionC

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1 Comment

pkumarn Over a year ago

Thanks to all of them for answering this. To be more precise, i was thinking as main () is inside class, every Object of that class has reference to main (). I think this is not right...

k_rollo · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-13 14:48:22Z

0

"but each Object would have main class?"

Your question is not so clear, but if you are asking if every class needs to have a main() method, then the short answer is NO. You can have a single main() in a separate class that calls all your other classes (Hobbit class, Wizard class, Elf class, etc.).

answered Nov 13, 2014 at 14:48

k_rollo

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Comments

user902383 · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-13 15:13:51Z

0

If your function/variable is static, it means there is only one instance of it, does not matter how many instances of your class you will create.

second thing, it will be more aesthetic, if you create separate class only for your main method

answered Nov 13, 2014 at 15:13

user902383

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1 Comment

k_rollo Over a year ago

More than "aesthetic", I think having the main() in a separate class also marks the early beginnings of OP's first MVC. :)

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