Difference between final static int and static final int?

Question

Is there any difference between final static int x = 1; and static final int x=1? In other words, will the java compiler represent x in exactly same way in both the cases ?

EDIT: Is there any kind of precedence or priority the compiler has with regard to static and final?

In the first one you have `final` before `static` ;) – nattyddubbs Mar 14 '13 at 12:18 — nattyddubbs, Mar 14 '13 at 12:18

score 9 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 14 '13 at 12:17

9

There is no difference the compiler will represent them in the same way.

It is just personal preference, personally I use static final and this is what I generally see used by other developers.

answered Mar 14 '13 at 12:17

cowls

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There an [official style guide](http://stackoverflow.com/a/7050276/2071828) that says `static final` is the way to go. – Boris the Spider Mar 14 '13 at 12:19

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 14 '13 at 12:19

There is no semantic difference. From the JLS (§8.3.1 Field Modifiers):

FieldModifier: one of
     Annotation public protected private
     static final transient volatile
If two or more (distinct) field modifiers appear in a field declaration, it is customary, though not required, that they appear in the order consistent with that shown above in the production for FieldModifier.

Thus the preferred form is

static final int x=1;

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 14 '13 at 12:18

2

java compiler represents x in exactly same way in both cases

answered Mar 14 '13 at 12:18

Fr_nkenstien

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score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 14 '13 at 12:19

1

No difference. I prefer to use final static int

answered Mar 14 '13 at 12:19

AmitG

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score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Mar 14 '13 at 12:23

This is from the Java Language Specification §8.3.1:

FieldModifier: one of Annotation public protected private static final transient volatile

If two or more (distinct) field modifiers appear in a field declaration, it is customary, though not required, that they appear in the order consistent with that shown above in the production for FieldModifier.

So there is no difference between the two in your case. Only that static final is more customary.

Difference between final static int and static final int?

5 Answers5