java - Can a Static Nested Class be Instantiated Multiple Times? -

given know of every other type of static feature of programming––i think answer 'no'. however, seeing statements outerclass.staticnestedclass nestedobject = new outerclass.staticnestedclass(); makes me wonder.

yes, there nothing in semantics of static nested type stop doing that. snippet runs fine.

public class multiplenested {     static class nested {     }     public static void main(string[] args) {         (int = 0; < 100; i++) {             new nested();         }     } } 

see also

• public static interface map.entry<k,v>
  • public static class abstractmap.simpleentry<k,v>
    • probably well-known nested type. instantiated multiple times.

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now, of course nested type can own instance control (e.g. private constructors, singleton pattern, etc) has nothing fact it's nested type. also, if nested type static enum, of course can't instantiate @ all.

but in general, yes, static nested type can instantiated multiple times.

note technically, static nested type not "inner" type.

jls 8.1.3 inner classes , enclosing instances

an inner class nested class not explicitly or implicitly declared static.

that is, according jls terminology, inner class 1 isn't static. if it's static, it's nested type.

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so static mean?

static means nested type not need instance of enclosing type instantiated.

see also

• java inner class , static nested class
• java: static vs non static inner class