Declaring nested classes in separate files

Question

Here we have a nested class:

class OuterClass {
    ...
    static class StaticNestedClass {
        ...
    }

}

Instead of writing them in the same file, can I declare them in separate files?

This question: Putting Nested Classes In Separate Files tells me to use a refactor option that happens to be available in Eclipse. I use it, but I end up with two files:

class OuterClass {
    ...
}

and

class StaticNestedClass {

}

But as far as I'm concerned, that's no longer a nested class, right?

@BrianRoach: I don't see a reason why would that mean I can't declare a nested class in another file. I mean, it's just another file. The compiler could say *"welp, I'm gonna grab the class in that file and pretend it is nested inside this other one"*. Simply to make the project look more organized. Like C++, or Ruby, dunno. — Saturn, Jan 05 '14 at 03:05

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 05 '14 at 02:50

You cannot do this in Java.

As a note, if you were using a language that supports partial classes (such as C#) you could do

File 1:

partial class OuterClass {
}

File 2:

partial class OuterClass {
    class StaticNestedClass {

    }
}

but Java doesn't have partial classes so this wouldn't be of help for this particular situation. In Java a class can only be declared in one file.

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 15 '14 at 05:43

1

Nested class is a class that's literally INSIDE another class. No, it's not possible to have a nested class in a separate file because then it would no longer be a nested class, it would be just another class.

edited Apr 15 '14 at 05:43

nbanic

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answered Jan 05 '14 at 02:37

doomsdaymachine

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 05 '14 at 02:36

0

No you cannot have them in separate source files using javac as a compiler.

answered Jan 05 '14 at 02:36

bmargulies

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Declaring nested classes in separate files

3 Answers3