Question

class Size{
Size(){

}
//public  final Size SMALL = new Size();//infinite loop
  final Size as = new Size();//infinite loop
//static Size aw = new Size();//No infinte loop

}


class b{

static public void main(String ftr[]){

    Size z = new Size();

  }
}

when static Size aw is equal to new Size(); there is error when above program is run.
See the scenario below, when the program is run with:

  public  final Size SMALL = new Size();// infinite loop is happening 
  final Size as = new Size();  

an infinite loop is happening and program is giving

  Exception in thread "main" java.lang.StackOverflowError
  at Size.<init>(Interesting.java:6)  
  at Size.<init>(Interesting.java:6) 

Can somebody explain to me or, point me to the places where I can find the reason behind this.

Answer 1

Because as in line 6 is an instance attribute ( part of the object ) so you can read it like this:

To create this object I have to first create this object of type Size, but to create that object I have to create first the object of type size, but to create…

Hence inifinite loop.

In the ohter hand when you mark it with the static qualifier, you make it a class attribute ( part of the class not of the object ) so you can read it like.

To define this class, I have to create this object of type Size

Then Java says… “ok, got it, I’ll do with then the time comes”. The class definition is created and when loaded a new instance of that class is created. No confusion nor infinite loop arise.

I hope this helps.