What does redefining static methods mean in Java?

Question

I\'ve been reading a section on Statics in the SCJP study guide, and it mentions the following :

static methods can\'t be overridden, but they can be r

Answer 1

Static means there is one per class, rather than one per object. This is true for both methods and variables.

A static field would imply that there is one such field, no matter how many objects of that class are created. Please take a look at Is there a way to override class variables in Java? for the question of overriding a static field. In short: a static field cannot be overridden.

Consider this:

public class Parent {
 static int key = 3;

 public void getKey() {
  System.out.println("I am in " + this.getClass() + " and my key is " + key);
 }
}

public class Child extends Parent {

 static int key = 33;

 public static void main(String[] args) {
  Parent x = new Parent(); 
  x.getKey();
  Child y = new Child();
  y.getKey();
  Parent z = new Child();
  z.getKey();
 }
}

I am in class tools.Parent and my key is 3
I am in class tools.Child and my key is 3
I am in class tools.Child and my key is 3

Key never comes back as 33. However, if you override getKey and add this to Child, then the results will be different.

@Override public void getKey() {
 System.out.println("I am in " + this.getClass() + " and my key is " + key);
}
I am in class tools.Parent and my key is 3
I am in class tools.Child and my key is 33
I am in class tools.Child and my key is 33

By overriding the getKey method, you are able to access the Child's static key.