When should you prefer static keyword and when should you avoid it?

The static keyword in Java is used for memory management primarily. It can be applied to variables, methods, blocks, and nested classes. Below are scenarios when you should prefer the static keyword and when you might want to avoid it.

When to Prefer the Static Keyword

Shared Data: Use static when you want to share a variable among all instances of a class.
Utility Methods: Static methods are used for utility or helper methods that don’t depend on instance variables.
Memory Efficiency: Static variables are stored in the memory area, which can reduce memory overhead if there are many instances of a class.

Example of Static Variable and Method


        class Counter {
            static int count = 0; // static variable

            Counter() {
                count++; // increment count for every object
            }

            static void displayCount() { // static method
                System.out.println("Count: " + count);
            }
        }

        public class Main {
            public static void main(String[] args) {
                new Counter();
                new Counter();
                Counter.displayCount(); // Outputs: Count: 2
            }
        }

When to Avoid the Static Keyword

Polymorphism Limitations: Static methods cannot be overridden, which limits the flexibility of the code.
Testing Difficulties: Static state can make unit tests harder to write de-coupled from the rest of the application.
Memory Leaks: Static variables can hold references to objects, leading to increased memory usage and potential memory leaks if not managed properly.

When should you prefer static keyword and when should you avoid it?

When to Prefer the Static Keyword

Example of Static Variable and Method

When to Avoid the Static Keyword

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When should you prefer static keyword and when should you avoid it?

When to Prefer the Static Keyword

Example of Static Variable and Method

When to Avoid the Static Keyword

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Popular Topics

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