Can you use static sections? (NOT static variables, this is diff)

[Robert Paris]

I know we can't use static variables (which makes sense since that implies a class-global variable), but can we use static sections (which simply imply that when the class is loaded into the VM, this section is kicked off).

For example:

public abstract class MyBean implements EntityBean
{
     static
     {
          //NOTIFY SOME RESOURCE, DEBUGGER OR SMTH HERE
     }
}

1. Is that allowed?
2. Would that be the same across all vendors (I'm thinking it would have to be - NOT the time when it's loaded, just the FACT that it's loaded and kicked off)

[Roger Chung-Wee]

I know we can't use static variables

Not entirely true, read-only static fields are allowed.

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Robert,
Yes it is allowed. Whether it is a good idea or not depends on what you do in the static section.

[Robert Paris]

Originally posted by Jeanne Boyarsky:
Robert,
Yes it is allowed. Whether it is a good idea or not depends on what you do in the static section.

Thanks!