Alternative to overiding static in java

Question

I was wondering: what would be the best way to fit an attribute to a class which is part of a large inheritance structure. I wanted to make an abstract static method which each class would override but after a quick google that doesn't seem to work. Any suggestions?

I could make it an instance method but it really is a class level specification.

Thanks in advance.

As you've found, static polymorphism doesn't exist in Java. What is the overall goal? — Oliver Charlesworth, May 23 '12 at 10:26
Can you explain in more detail what you want to do with this static method? Maybe we can find an alternative solution. — Tudor, May 23 '12 at 10:26
To be more specific: we're dealing with a boolean value which i need to be able to query for an object of each class specifically. So I think i answered my own question: I should make it an instance method. — Michiel Ariens, May 23 '12 at 10:27
just for each object of the same class the value is the same — Michiel Ariens, May 23 '12 at 10:27

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered May 23 '12 at 10:26

I would suggest you create an abstract method, just as you have thought of, and let this method be implemented in terms of static variables in each class.

abstract class Base {
    abstract String getValue();
}

class A extends Base {

    static String aValue = "From A";

    String getValue() {
        return aValue;
    }
}

class B extends A {

    static String bValue = "From B";

    String getValue() {
        return bValue;
    }
}

It requires a little bit more boiler plate in each class, than just a field declaration, but I believe it is hard to do anything about that.

Alternative to overiding static in java

1 Answers1

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