In Java, the static keyword is used to define class-level members that can be accessed without creating an instance of the class. It applies to variables, methods, blocks, and inner classes.
A static variable is shared across all instances of a class, meaning any changes to it affect all objects of that class. Similarly, a static method belongs to the class itself rather than any specific object and can be called using the class name without creating an instance.
The static keyword is also used in static blocks, which are executed once when the class is loaded into memory, often for initialization purposes. It allows for efficient memory management, as static members are allocated only once and persist throughout the execution of the program.
Overall, static simplifies access to shared data or methods, ensures efficient memory usage, and is essential for utility classes or methods that do not require object instantiation.
