Java Nested Classes — Static Versus Inner

In this article, we will see the main difference between static versus non-static Nested classes. A non-static nested class is also called as an Inner class.

Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash

Also check out my YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@viraj_shetty and subscribe for quality software content.

Nested Classes — static

What is a Nested Class? Most classes that we define are Top level classes but Java allows you to create a class “within” another class. There are many different reasons for this. Sometimes a class is relevant only to one other class. By declaring it within that class and making it private, such a class will not be exposed to other classes. Its a great example of encapsulation. You may also group related classes of a component as nested classes.

Let’s take an example of a static Nested class.

public class Parent {

   private final String first;
   private final String last;

   public static class Child {

       private final String first;

       private Child(String first) {
           this.first = first;
       }

       public String getFullName() {
           return first;
       }
   }

   public Parent(String first, String last) {
       this.first = first;
       this.last = last;
   }

   public void createChild(String first) {
       Child c = new…