Are enum types declared in a class implicitly static?

Question

class Coffee{   
   enum CoffeeSize{BIG,HUGE,OVERWHELMING}   
   CoffeeSize size;   
  }   

class CoffeeTest{   
   public static void main(String[] args)   
  {   
       Coffee drink=new Coffee();   
       drink.size=Coffee.CoffeeSize.BIG;   
   }   
}

Coffee.CoffeeSize.BIG: i can get CoffeeSize just using the class name Coffee. Am I correct when I think the enum type is implicitly static?

When you think about what enums represent and how they are supposed to be used, you have to admit they can only be static. — biziclop, Jan 28 '11 at 10:53
It appears we missed the same question with the same answer on the self check for chapter 1 :( After review, this should have been obvious considering they can't be instantiated.. — Whired, Apr 21 '12 at 21:04
**Update:** Local enums, defined within a method, will be a feature in Java 16, previewing in Java 15. See: [*JEP 384: Records (Second Preview)*](https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/384). Discussed in [my Answer](https://stackoverflow.com/a/62807591/642706) on another page. — Basil Bourque, Jul 09 '20 at 05:04

score 20 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 14 '12 at 17:30

20

Yes, it is. The language specification even says so. From the JLS section 8.9 (enums):

Nested enum types are implicitly static. It is permissable to explicitly declare a nested enum type to be static.

edited Jun 14 '12 at 17:30

reevesy

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answered Jan 28 '11 at 10:48

Jon Skeet

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+1 But only if you do get the reference eventually. :) – biziclop Jan 28 '11 at 10:48

Are enum types declared in a class implicitly static?

1 Answers1

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