What are the differences between static and final in Java?

The keywords static and final in Java serve different purposes and have different usage. Here is the distinction between them:

1. keyword static:

1. The keyword “static” is used to modify member variables and methods, indicating that the member belongs to the class, rather than to an object. This means that static members can be accessed directly using the class name, even without creating an object.
2. Static member variables are shared by all objects, exist only once in memory, and are initialized when the class is loaded. Static member methods are also shared by all objects and can be called directly using the class name.
3. Static members can be accessed and modified without creating an object, making them ideal for implementing class-level operations and shared data.

1. final keyword:

1. The final keyword can be used to modify classes, methods, and variables.
2. A class that is final cannot be inherited.
3. A method that is decorated with “final” indicates that it cannot be overridden by a subclass.
4. Variables modified by final keyword in Java represent that the value of the variable cannot be changed, making it a constant. Final variables must be assigned a value during declaration or in the constructor, and once assigned, it cannot be changed.
5. The value of a final variable can be determined either at runtime or at compile time. For final variables of primitive types, their values are determined at compile time; for final variables of reference types, the object they point to is determined at compile time but the contents of the object can be modified at runtime.

In summary, the static keyword is used to indicate that a member belongs to a class and can be accessed and modified without creating an object; the final keyword is used to indicate a class, method, or variable that cannot be changed.