What is the purpose of the static keyword in Java

In Java, the static keyword is used to declare a member (variable or method) as belonging to the class itself, rather than to instances (objects) of the class. It has different purposes depending on where it is used:

1. Static Variables: When a variable is declared as static, it means that the variable is shared among all instances of the class. It belongs to the class itself, rather than individual objects. Static variables are also known as class variables. They are typically used to store values that are common to all instances of the class.

2. Static Methods: Similarly, when a method is declared as static, it means that the method belongs to the class rather than to instances of the class. Static methods can be invoked directly on the class itself, without the need to create an instance of the class. They are commonly used for utility methods or for operations that do not require access to instance-specific data.

3. Static Blocks: A static block is a block of code enclosed in curly braces {} and preceded by the static keyword. It is used to initialize static variables or to perform any other one-time initialization tasks for the class. The static block is executed when the class is loaded into memory.

4. Static Nested Classes: Java allows nested classes, and when a nested class is declared as static, it is known as a static nested class. Static nested classes are primarily used to logically group classes that are only used within the enclosing class. They can be accessed directly using the outer class name, without needing an instance of the outer class.

In summary, the static keyword in Java is used to define class-level members (variables, methods, nested classes) that are shared among all instances of the class or can be accessed without creating an instance of the class.