Static Methods

• Don't operate on objects
• Example: Math.sqrt
• Example: factory method
  

  public static Greeter getRandomInstance()
  {
   if (generator.nextBoolean()) // note: generator is static field
   return new Greeter("Mars");
   else
   return new Greeter("Venus");
  }
  

• Invoke through class:
  

  Greeter g = Greeter.getRandomInstance();
  

• Static fields and methods should be rare in OO programs