Why does main() need to be static?

Question

Hi all,
I am trying to understand why
public static void main(String[] args)needs to be static?
I know that it needs to be available before the JVM creates an instance of the class containing the main method, but why is this the case? Is there some reason why the JVM cannot create an instance at that point?

Answer 1

Hi all,
i shall try to explai you this puzzle.
for a class as follows:
========================================
class abc{
abc(){ ..... }
public static void main(String[] a){
========================================
when i compile it it runs perfectly but if i remove the static modifier from main it throws an exception.
that is beacuse jvm lies outside the bounds of the class(opr default pacgage) and so if i want to call any method from there (or basically from outside the package) it has to be declared public.There should be no arguments here as this is the very idea of access protection.
Now simce main returns nothing so it has to be void.The String array argument is place holders for command line arguments (thats for compatibility for users comming from c++)
Now static why????
in java when we call a classes constructor or when a class is instantiated all the prop[erties of that class are created with values or behaviour specific to that object and in general defined by the class.This you may agree with i suppose.Now if i need to call a method print of class abc then i need to first make an object of class abc (lets say ABC ) and call print as ABC.print("ddd"). This call shall execute the logic specifically defined in the behaviour of the particulay object ABC of class abc and this not necessarily  can be same as the default call behaviour.
But suppose i have a method that always returns the sum of two integers no matter what object it resides in, I would make it statis because this method would not be a copy in all the objects created rather one master copy that all the objects would use.So now ABC.add() would return same as BCD.add(). But the thing is what do i need to do when i am calling this method for somewhere outside the package.(e/g jvm calling main)Since i don't have the object i cannot call the method.
using static i can have an entry point into the jvm as static methods are executed using classname.methodname().
Once the entry poinjt is loaded(main here) i can call the constructor ,make the object and proceed.
hope this helps,
waliv.