What are the best practices for using static methods in Java?

What are the best practices for using static methods in Java?

Some best practices include: 1) Use static methods for utility or helper functions, 2) Avoid using static methods for instance-specific behavior, 3) Keep them stateless to ensure thread safety.

Can you explain why it's important to keep static methods stateless?

Keeping static methods stateless ensures that they do not rely on or modify any external state, making them predictable and thread-safe.

Are there any performance implications of using static methods?

Static methods can be faster than instance methods since they don't require an object instance. However, overusing them can lead to code that is harder to test and maintain.

What about naming conventions for static methods?

It's recommended to use clear and descriptive names for static methods, often following the camelCase convention, to indicate their purpose.

Can you give an example of a good static method?

Sure! A good example is a utility method like Math.max(int a, int b) which returns the maximum of two numbers without needing an instance.