How null reference to an object can invoke static method?

Question

How null reference to an object can invoke static method. Here is the sample code

class A{
public static void show(){
System.out.println("In Show");
}
psvm(..)
{
A a = null;
a.show();
}

Here as an output "In Show" is printed. I was expecting NPE . Request an understanding

There is no need for an instance while invoking static member or method. Since static members belongs to class rather than instance. — Suresh Atta, Aug 14 '15 at 08:42
@suresh agreed but we explicity assigned null to the reference — Abhishek Saxena, Aug 14 '15 at 08:42
you are talking about the value of instance. I am telling that type of instance enough. — Suresh Atta, Aug 14 '15 at 08:43
@Abhishek you'll also find it doesn't matter what that objects real type is (e.g. A child class) all that matters is the declared type. Really static methods shouldn't ever be called on instances like this — Richard Tingle, Aug 14 '15 at 09:43

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 14 '15 at 08:41

1

Because you're really calling A.show(), since the method is static. It doesn't really need the instance a.

answered Aug 14 '15 at 08:41

Trisha

1 Answers1