static

The static keyword is used as a modifier for methods and variables. The keyword can also be used to define static initializing blocks.

When the static keyword appears in a method or variable declaration, it means that there will be only one copy of the method or variable that each class object may reference, regardless of the number of instances of the containing class that are created.

The static keyword can also be used to create a static initializing block of code that runs only once, when the class object is first loaded into memory.