main() method

[Hamsagayathri Palanisamy]

is main() in java is final by default?
or else do we need to specify public static final void main(String args[])
correct if i'm wrong.

-Thanks & Regards,
Hamsa

[Jesper de Jong]

No, it isn't.

The final keyword on a method means that the method cannot be overridden in a subclass. But since the main() method is a static method, it can't be overridden anyway. So making the main() method final makes no sense.

[sara adrem]

A main method can also be declared final.

public static void main(String args[] { } is ok to use.
public static final void main(String args[] { } is also ok to use.



But a static method can never be overridden.
A parent class and child class can have a static method with the same signature and name. But they are not overridden methods.

A static method always hides any superclass static method with the same name.

[Matthew Walton]

I'm surprised final isn't illegal on static methods, since it doesn't actually mean anything.

[Jelle Klap]

While it is true that static methods can't be overridden they can be hidden. Declaring a static method final prevents that method from being hidden by a subclass. Which the compiler mistakely confuses with being unable to override the method, which isn't even possible, but who needs accurate error messages anyway...
[ March 31, 2008: Message edited by: Jelle Klap ]