Why do we use “companion object” as a kind of replacement for Java static fields in Kotlin?

Question

What is the intended meaning of \"companion object\"? So far I have been using it just to replace Java\'s static when I need it.

I am confused with:

Answer 1

Why is it called "companion"?

An object declaration inside a class can be marked with the companion keyword:

class MyClass {
    companion object Factory {
        fun create(): MyClass = MyClass()
    }
}

Members of the companion object can be called by using simply the class name as the qualifier:

val instance = MyClass.create()

If you only use 'object' without 'companion', you have to do like this:

val instance = MyClass.Factory.create()

In my understanding, 'companion' means this object is companion with the outter class.