How does static keyword impact performance or memory usage?

The static keyword in Java serves a crucial role in determining the memory allocation and performance of classes and methods. When a variable or method is declared static, it is associated with the class itself rather than any particular instance. This offers several benefits regarding performance and memory usage.

Performance Impact

Using static methods can lead to improved performance since they are resolved at compile time. The JVM does not need to create an instance of the class, and this can result in faster method calls. Static members are also stored in a single memory location, which can reduce memory overhead.

Memory Usage

Static variables are stored in the static area of the heap, which is shared among all instances of the class. This means that only one copy of the static variable exists, regardless of how many objects are created from the class. Thus, using static members judiciously can save memory by avoiding duplication.

Example

class MyClass { static int staticVariable = 0; // Static variable static void staticMethod() { // Static method System.out.println("Static method called. Value: " + staticVariable); } } public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { MyClass.staticMethod(); // Call static method without creating an instance MyClass.staticVariable = 5; // Modify static variable MyClass.staticMethod(); // Call static method again } }

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