Graphic class

[memati bas]

Hi,
How can we use Graphich class's method without instantiating it.

[marc weber]

Without an instance, you can only call static methods. To use instance (non-static) methods, you need an instance.

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

I suspect we're talking about java.awt.Graphics. You personally don't instantiate it; you implement paint(), or paintComponent(), and then Java calls that method for you, passing an instance in to your method.

[memati bas]

For example, we can use nonstatic drawRect method of Graphic class without instantiating its object. So how can it be ?
Why do not we instantiate its object ?

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

You don't instantiate it, but it exists just the same; the Java libraries create it and pass it to you as a method argument. There are many objects that you use, but don't create yourself: for example, System.out (a PrintStream) and System.in (an InputStream).

[Layne Lund]

I think you need to step back and ask who calls the paintComponent() method. (At least I assume this is the context you are using.) If you have done things correctly, you never call this method explicitly yourself. Instead, the operating system sends a message and a Java class from the API calls it for you. However, before Java calls the method it HAS to create (instantiate) a Graphic object somehow. This is what allows you to call non-static methods. An object IS instantiated, even if it doesn't appear explicitly in your own code.

If you need more help with understanding how paintComponent() works at a geeneral level, you should google for information on "callback functions".

Layne