Why toString() cannot be a static method?
access-modifiers, class, java, static
Solution
This does not apply only to `toString()`
The Java Language Specification says
It is a compile-time error if a static method hides an instance method.
Since the instance method `toString()` is implicitly inherited from `Object`, declaring a method `toString()` as `static` in a sub type causes a compile-time error.
From an Object Oriented point of view, see the other answers to this question or related questions.
Problem
Sup guys, I have a simple, but bugging question. As far as I understand, `static` basically means, that for every single instance of that class, this method will be the same, if we change it, this will change for every single instance of that class, it's also known as Class Method. Well, if I have a class that implements `toString ()` method witch a certain format, let's say: ``` public String toString() { return "(" + x + "," + y + ")"; } ``` Why can't it be set as static? Since this format will be the same for every single instance of that class...?