What is the purpose of static and final in Java?

In Java, both the static and final keywords are used to modify variables and methods.

The “static” keyword indicates static, variables or methods modified by static belong to the class rather than an instance. They can be accessed directly through the class name, without the need to instantiate an object. Static variables are shared by all instances, while static methods can be called without creating an instance. Static variables and methods can be used to record and access global states or behaviors.

The final keyword indicates that something is ultimate. Variables and methods modified with final cannot be modified or overridden. Final variables must be initialized during declaration or in the constructor and cannot be changed afterwards. Final methods cannot be overridden by subclasses, ensuring the stability and safety of methods. The final keyword can also be used to modify classes, indicating that the class cannot be inherited.

In summary, the static keyword is used to define variables and methods that belong to a class and can be accessed directly using the class name; the final keyword is used to define variables and methods that cannot be modified, ensuring the stability of the variable or method.