Static Member (Java and C# Cross Reference Guide)

General Info: Static Class / Static Member

A static member is a member you can have access to without instantiating the class into an object. For example, you can read and write static properties and call static methods without ever creating the class. Static members are also called class members (class methods, class properties, etc.) since they belong to the class and not to a specific object. A static class is a class that contains only static members. In the UML, these classes are described as utility classes.

Languages Focus

Languages that support static members usually at least support static member fields (the data). Some languages also support static methods, properties, etc. in which case the class member is held in memory at one location and shared with all objects. Finally, some languages support static classes which usually means the compiler will make sure a static class contains only static members.

Java:  "Static Members" static When calling a static method from within the same class, you don't need to specify the class name. Syntax Example: class MyUtils { //Static method. public static void MyStaticMethod() { } }  Java Static Members (static)

C#:  "Static Members" static C# supports both static members and static classes using the static keyword. You can add a static method, field, property, or event to an existing class. Also, you can designate a class as static and the compiler will ensure all members in that class are static. You can add a constructor to a static class to initialize values. The CLR automatically loads static classes with the program or namespace. Syntax Example: //Static Class Example public static class MyStaticClass { //Static Method Example public static void MyStaticMethod() { // static method code } }  C# Static Members (static)