Unusual "static" method declaration
- by Jason
public class Card {
public enum Rank { DEUCE, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX,
SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN, JACK, QUEEN, KING, ACE }
public enum Suit { CLUBS, DIAMONDS, HEARTS, SPADES }
private final Rank rank;
private final Suit suit;
private Card(Rank rank, Suit suit) {
this.rank = rank;
this.suit = suit;
}
public Rank rank() { return rank; }
public Suit suit() { return suit; }
public String toString() { return rank + " of " + suit; }
private static final List<Card> protoDeck = new ArrayList<Card>();
// Initialize prototype deck
**static** {
for (Suit suit : Suit.values())
for (Rank rank : Rank.values())
protoDeck.add(new Card(rank, suit));
}
public static ArrayList<Card> newDeck() {
return new ArrayList<Card>(protoDeck); // Return copy of prototype deck
}
}
I have a quick question. The code block that starts right after the static keyword declaration, what type of method is that ? I haven't ever seen that before. If anyone could enlighten me, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
