Use of Initializers vs Constructors in Java

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Static initializers are useful as cletus mentioned and I use them in the same manner. If you have a static variable that is to be initialized when the class is loaded, then a static initializer is the way to go, especially as it allows you to do a complex initialization and still have the static variable be final. This is a big win.

I find “if (someStaticVar == null) // do stuff” to be messy and error prone. If it is initialized statically and declared final, then you avoid the possibility of it being null.

However, I’m confused when you say:

static/instance initializers can be used to set the value of “final”
static/instance variables whereas a constructor cannot

I assume you are saying both:

  • static initializers can be used to set the value of “final” static variables whereas a constructor cannot
  • instance initializers can be used to set the value of “final” instance variables whereas a constructor cannot

and you are correct on the first point, wrong on the second. You can, for example, do this:

class MyClass {
    private final int counter;
    public MyClass(final int counter) {
        this.counter = counter;
    }
}

Also, when a lot of code is shared between constructors, one of the best ways to handle this is to chain constructors, providing the default values. This makes is pretty clear what is being done:

class MyClass {
    private final int counter;
    public MyClass() {
        this(0);
    }
    public MyClass(final int counter) {
        this.counter = counter;
    }
}

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