Object instantiation: Inner class and outer class with the same name (Java)

Question

Code description and ouput

In the following code. We have a class TestInners, one inner class A, one method local inner class A and one outer class A.

1. When we instantiate an object as in new A().m(); the ouput is middle.
2. In order for the program to output inner we must instantiate the object after the method local inner class A in the gomethod.
3. If we comment the inner class the program will output outer.

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Question

In the code as it is. Why did it output middle? Is there a preference for the inner classes first? then the outer classes? I got confused.

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Source code

   class A { void m() { System.out.println("outer"); } }
    
    public class TestInners {
        public static void main(String[] args) {
            new TestInners().go();
        }
        void go() {
            new A().m();
            class A { void m() { System.out.println("inner"); } }
            
        }
        class A { void m() { System.out.println("middle"); } }
    }

Answer 1

Yes, if you shadow symbols with more local definitions, the more local one is chosen. This most frequently happens with method parameters vs instance fields, leading to the famous this.name = name idiom.

In your case, you can get to the outer class by using a fully qualified class name.

But don't name classes like that. Too much confusion for no reason.