[java] Difference between Static methods and Instance methods

I was just reading over the text given to me in my textbook and I'm not really sure I understand what it is saying. It's basically telling me that static methods or class methods include the "modifier" keyword static. But I don't really know what that means?

Could someone please explain to me in really simple terms what Static or Class Methods are?

Also, could I get a simple explanation on what Instance methods are?

This is what they give me in the textbook:

There are important practical implications of the presence or absence of the static modifier. A public class method may be invoked and executed as soon as Java processes the definition of the class to which it belongs. That is not the case for an instance method. Before a public instance method may be invoked and executed, an instance must be created of the class to which it belongs. To use a public class method, you just need the class. On the other hand, before you can use a public instance method you must have an instance of the class.

The manner in which a static method is invoked within the definition of another method varies according to whether or not the two methods belong to the same class. In the example above, factorial and main are both methods of the MainClass class. As a result, the invocation of factorial in the definition of main simply references the method name, "factorial".

If state of a method is not supposed to be changed or its not going to use any instance variables.

You want to call method without instance.

If it only works on arguments provided to it.

Utility functions are good instance of static methods. i.e math.pow(), this function is not going to change the state for different values. So it is static.

Static methods, variables belongs to the whole class, not just an object instance. A static method, variable is associated with the class as a whole rather than with specific instances of a class. Each object will share a common copy of the static methods, variables. There is only one copy per class, no matter how many objects are created from it.

Difference between Static methods and Instance methods

1. Instance method are methods which require an object of its class to be created before it can be called. Static methods are the methods in Java that can be called without creating an object of class.

2. Static method is declared with static keyword. Instance method is not with static keyword.

3. Static method means which will exist as a single copy for a class. But instance methods exist as multiple copies depending on the number of instances created for that class.

4. Static methods can be invoked by using class reference. Instance or non static methods are invoked by using object reference.

5. Static methods can’t access instance methods and instance variables directly. Instance method can access static variables and static methods directly.

Reference : geeksforgeeks

Methods and variables that are not declared as static are known as instance methods and instance variables. To refer to instance methods and variables, you must instantiate the class first means you should create an object of that class first.For static you don't need to instantiate the class u can access the methods and variables with the class name using period sign which is in (.)

for example:

Person.staticMethod();           //accessing static method.

for non-static method you must instantiate the class.

Person person1 = new Person();   //instantiating
person1.nonStaticMethod();       //accessing non-static method.

The behavior of an object depends on the variables and the methods of that class. When we create a class we create an object for it. For static methods, we don't require them as static methods means all the objects will have the same copy so there is no need of an object. e.g:

Myclass.get();

In instance method each object will have different behaviour so they have to call the method using the object instance. e.g:

Myclass x = new Myclass();
x.get();

Instance method vs Static method

1. Instance method can access the instance methods and instance variables directly.

2. Instance method can access static variables and static methods directly.

3. Static methods can access the static variables and static methods directly.

4. Static methods can’t access instance methods and instance variables directly. They must use reference to object. And static method can’t use this keyword as there is no instance for ‘this’ to refer to.

The static modifier when placed in front of a function implies that only one copy of that function exists. If the static modifier is not placed in front of the function then with every object or instance of that class a new copy of that function is made. :) Same is the case with variables.

In short, static methods and static variables are class level where as instance methods and instance variables are instance or object level.

This means whenever a instance or object (using new ClassName()) is created, this object will retain its own copy of instace variables. If you have five different objects of same class, you will have five different copies of the instance variables. But the static variables and methods will be the same for all those five objects. If you need something common to be used by each object created make it static. If you need a method which won't need object specific data to work, make it static. The static method will only work with static variable or will return data on the basis of passed arguments.

class A {
    int a;
    int b;

    public void setParameters(int a, int b){
        this.a = a;
        this.b = b;
    }
    public int add(){
        return this.a + this.b;
   }

    public static returnSum(int s1, int s2){
        return (s1 + s2);
    }
}

In the above example, when you call add() as:

A objA = new A();
objA.setParameters(1,2); //since it is instance method, call it using object
objA.add(); // returns 3 

B objB = new B();
objB.setParameters(3,2);
objB.add(); // returns 5

//calling static method
// since it is a class level method, you can call it using class itself
A.returnSum(4,6); //returns 10

class B{
    int s=8;
    int t = 8;
    public addition(int s,int t){
       A.returnSum(s,t);//returns 16
    }
}

In first class, add() will return the sum of data passed by a specific object. But the static method can be used to get the sum from any class not independent if any specific instance or object. Hence, for generic methods which only need arguments to work can be made static to keep it all DRY.

Instance methods => invoked on specific instance of a specific class. Method wants to know upon which class it was invoked. The way it happens there is a invisible parameter called 'this'. Inside of 'this' we have members of instance class already set with values. 'This' is not a variable. It's a value, you cannot change it and the value is reference to the receiver of the call. Ex: You call repairmen(instance method) to fix your TV(actual program). He comes with tools('this' parameter). He comes with specific tools needed for fixing TV and he can fix other things also.

In static methods => there is no such thing as 'this'. Ex: The same repairman (static method). When you call him you have to specify which repairman to call(like electrician). And he will come and fix your TV only. But, he doesn't have tools to fix other things (there is no 'this' parameter).

Static methods are usually useful for operations that don't require any data from an instance of the class (from 'this') and can perform their intended purpose solely using their arguments.