What are static methods in programming?

Can you explain what static methods are in programming?

Static methods are functions that belong to a class rather than an instance of the class. They can be called without creating an object.

What are some use cases for static methods?

Static methods are often used for utility functions, such as mathematical calculations or factory methods that create instances.

Can you give me an example of a static method in Python?

Sure! In Python, you can define a static method using the @staticmethod decorator. Here's an example:

class Math:
    @staticmethod
    def add(x, y):
        return x + y

You can call it like this: Math.add(5, 3).

Are static methods the same in all programming languages?

While the concept of static methods is similar across languages, the syntax and specific use cases can vary. For example, Java uses the static keyword, while Python uses decorators.