static

In short: static binds an element to the class instead of to a single object.

In more detail: Static attributes and methods exist only once per class and are called via the class name.

In Depth

class Counter {
    static int count = 0;                    // belongs to the class
    static int next() { return ++count; }
}
int n = Counter.next();                      // without an object

Notes

• Static methods cannot use object attributes directly (no this).
• Math.max() and main are static.
• Excessive use makes code hard to test.

See class members, final.

See also: Class Members, final, Meaning of this