Class Variables

• A class variable is a value in a class that is common to all instances of that class.

• There is only 1 of these class variables, even when multiple objects have been declared.

• Every instance of the class can reference and change this value.

• A class variable has the keyword static in its declaration:

  static	String lastName = "Bishop";
  

• You can reference a class variable using either syntax:

  object.classVariable
  Class.classVariable
  

• However, you should use the class name instead of the instance name so it is clear when your code is referencing a class variable and when it is referencing an instance variable.

• Where have we already seen a class variable?

• Why is is a class variable; i.e. why is there only 1 of them?