Why doesn't Java allow overriding of static methods?

Question

Why is it not possible to override static methods?

If possible, please use an example.

Answer 1

By overriding, you achieve dynamic polymorphism. When you say overriding static methods, the words you are trying to use are contradictory.

Static says - compile time, overriding is used for dynamic polymorphism. Both are opposite in nature, and hence can't be used together.

Dynamic polymorphic behavior comes when a programmer uses an object and accessing an instance method. JRE will map different instance methods of different classes based on what kind of object you are using.

When you say overriding static methods, static methods we will access by using the class name, which will be linked at compile time, so there is no concept of linking methods at runtime with static methods. So the term "overriding" static methods itself doesn't make any meaning.

Note: even if you access a class method with an object, still java compiler is intelligent enough to find it out, and will do static linking.