Tags: java
Java provides various modifiers to control the behavior of classes, methods, and variables. Two such modifiers are final and static final. Let's delve deeper into their significance and differences.
When you come across the final keyword in Java, think of it as a way to make something unchangeable or immutable.
When the final keyword is applied to variables, it ensures that once a variable is assigned a value, it cannot be reassigned. Every instance of the class will have its own separate copy of this final variable.
A final method cannot be overridden in subclasses. This is useful when you want to lock the behavior of a method, ensuring that no subclass can change its implementation.
A final class cannot be subclassed. This is often done for security reasons or to ensure the design integrity of a class.
A static final variable belongs to the class and not any specific instance. It's also immutable. Value can only be assigned at point of declaration or within a static initizlizer block. An initializer block is a chunk of code that runs when the class is first loaded into memory. It runs only once, regardless of how many instance of the class.