Why are interfaces static?

Question

Why can I not have a interface inside of a inner class? Why are they inherently static? Sorry if it\'s a stupid question, I\'ve tried my best to google this aga

Answer 1

You cannot have an interface inside of an inner class because an inner class only exists within the context of an instance of an 'outer class'. Since this is the case, your interface would be de facto non-static.

You can, however have an interface inside of a nested class. See @owlstead answer. By placing the 'static' keyword on a the declaration of an 'inner class', it becomes a first class citizen, referencable from outside the outer class and (mostly) independent of the context of the outer class. Nested classes can be instantiated outside of the outer class; inner classes cannot.