How does an enum singleton function?

Question

Previously instead of using enums, I would do something like: ``` public static ExampleClass instance; public ExampleClass(){ instance=this; } public static ExampleClass getInstance(){ return instance; } ``` Then someone told me about a enum singleton: ``` public enum Example{ INSTANCE; public static Example getInstance(){ return Example.INSTANCE; } ``` In the first example I had to instantiate the object in order to create the instance. With an enum, I do not need to do that.. at least it appears. Can someone explain the reason behind this?

Accepted Answer

The Java compiler takes care of creating enum fields as static instances of a Java class in bytecode. Great blog post on it (not my blog) with bytecode here: http://boyns.blogspot.com/2008/03/java-15-explained-enum.html

How does an enum singleton function?

Solution

Problem