Why Doesn\'t Invoking a Static Method on a Null Reference Throw a NullPointerException in Java?

Static Method Invocation on Null Reference

Why doesn't invoking a static method on a null reference in Java throw a NullPointerException?

Explanation

In Java, a static method is associated with a class rather than an instance. Static methods can be accessed without the need for an instance of the class.

In the example provided, the test() method is static and is accessed using the class name, Why.test(). It does not require an instance of the class to be invoked. Therefore, even if the reference variable NULL is null, the test() method can still be executed without a NullPointerException.

Best Practice

While it is possible to access static methods through object references, it is considered a bad practice because it can lead to confusion and incorrect assumptions about the intended behavior of the code. It is recommended to always invoke static methods using the class name, as shown below:

<code class="java">Why.test();</code>

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