Java 2™ Programmer Exam Cram™ 2 (Exam CX-310-035)

Accessing Nested Classes from Outside

Now that you have seen examples of the various types of nested classes, let's look at how a nested class can be accessed from outside the enclosing class.

A Static Nested Class Example

Recall that in Listing 5.2, the variable declaration used this syntax that starts with the name of the enclosing class:

12.  Bubble.BubTimer timer ;

The constructor call also used the name of the enclosing class.

17.     timer = new Bubble.BubTimer( this );

Now we are going to contrast that with how member inner class objects are created and named.

Using a Member Inner Class Object

The important thing to remember about inner classes is that an inner class object must always be associated with an instance of the enclosing class. ...