Assigning a final int to a byte ???

[Anonymous]

Hello,
Why will the code below compile, but if "final" is taken out it won't? What is the principle?
Thanks so much,
Emerald
class Test
{
public static void main(String []args)
{
final int i = 100;
byte b = i;
System.out.println(b);
}
}

[Art Metzer]

By making i final you are declaring to the compiler that it is a constant. Since the value of i can never change, and you can fit i's value of 100 into a byte, the compiler allows it. If i is not a constant (i.e., you remove "final"), the compiler complains.
Art