posted 20 years ago
Hanna,
This isn't really an advanced issue. Static methods are used when a method is more applicable to the class object rather than instances. If you're having a hard time wrapping your head around "static" I'd recommend a basic programming book. As for the second part of your question, since static just has to do with class versus instance scope, it doesn't really make any sense. There may be some performance differences when one is used over the other, but performance shouldn't really be used as an issue when deciding whether to implement something as a static member versus an instance member.
Nathaniel Stodard<br />SCJP, SCJD, SCWCD, SCBCD, SCDJWS, ICAD, ICSD, ICED