Accessing class in static java method

Question

We have self registering subclasses of 'Handler' which we want to access through Subclass.me(). Is something similar to this possible in Java: ?

public class Handler{
static Vector<Handler> register=new Vector<Handler>();
public static Handler me() {
        return register.get( this.class);// TODO
}
}

public class SubClass extends Handler{
     SubClass(){register.add(this);}// OK
}

To clarify the question: Is it possible to retrieve the CLASS when calling a static java method? this.class obviously doesn't work, because 'this' is not available.

ddelver · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-10 11:31:15Z

4

Static methods belong to the class. They cannot be overridden.

MyClass.myStaticMethod()

is the only correct way of accessing a static method.

answered Mar 10, 2012 at 11:31

ddelver

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2 Comments

Anno2001 Over a year ago

They don't need to be overwritten, but the second part answers the question. If MyClass.myStaticMethod() is the only correct way, how come calling Subclass.myStaticMethod() does not even give a warning in eclipse??

ddelver Over a year ago

@Anno2001 Eclipse lets you choose if you want to get an error/warning or ignore non-static access to a static member. Look under Eclipse preferences, Java —> Compiler —> Errors/Warnings —> Code Style —> Non-static access to static member.

namalfernandolk · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-10 12:56:49Z

0

In java, you cannot make a static reference to the non-static method/variable. So,

If you want to access a non-static method / variable then you must create an instance of the class first.
If you are going to access a static method / variable then you can access it directly through the class name without creating a instance.

Because, the static method and variable are belong to the Class not to the Instance while the non-static method and variable are belong to the Instance not to the Class.

answered Mar 10, 2012 at 12:56

namalfernandolk

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