If static inner classes are top level classes then why does this compiles

[Anupam Sinha]

Have a look at the code if static inner classes are top level classes then private access modifier should not be allowed by the compiler. But this compiles.

public class test
{
 private static class astaticlass{}
 public static void main(String args[])
 {
  
 }
}

[ April 30, 2003: Message edited by: Anupam Sinha ]

[aadhi agathi]

Originally posted by Anupam Sinha:
Have a look at the code if static inner classes are top level classes then private access modifier should not be allowed by the compiler. But this compiles.
-Anupam Sinha ]

Why not private access modifier , i don't see anything problems in this. please elaborate!

[Anupam Sinha]

That exactly i want to say that i dont see any problem with it. A private static nested class is a top level class but a top level class can not be private. So does it means that static nested classes are not top level classes?
[ April 30, 2003: Message edited by: Anupam Sinha ]

[Rattan Mann]

A static nested class is a static member of the outer class. So it can have all the modifiers a static member like var or method can have.
Rattan

[Joel McNary]

So does it means that static nested classes are not top level classes?

Correct. Static nested classes are top-level nested classes, not top-level classes. Confusing terminology, I agree, but that's what it is.