What is the difference between static and instance methods in programming?

What is the difference between static and instance methods in programming?

Static methods belong to the class itself, while instance methods belong to instances of the class.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! A static method can be called on the class without creating an instance, like Math.max(). An instance method requires an object, like myObject.method().

When should I use static methods?

Use static methods for utility functions that don't require object state, like calculations or helper functions.

Are there any downsides to using static methods?

Yes, static methods can't access instance variables or methods, which limits their flexibility in some cases.