Should I use static import?

Question

How important it is to convert all my import to static import? Why are people still reluctant to use static import?

Answer 1

As the docs say, use it sparingly. Look there for the justifications.

Answer 2

This is a special case but also the perfect use case (and I use it in all my tests):

import static junit.framework.Assert.*;

Here, I find that this makes my tests more readable and it's obvious from where assertXXX come from. But this is an exception. In other situations, I find that static import make things more obscure, harder to read and I don't really use them.

Answer 3

I use static import when working with JUnit's assert (import static org.junit.Assert.*;) and also when I have an enum that is very tied to the class in question.

For example:

Enum file:

public enum MyEnum {
   A, B, C;
}

Class file:

import static MyEnum.*;

public class MyClass {
  MyEnum e;

  public setE(MyEnum newE) {
    if ( newE == A ) {
       // some verification
    }
    e = newE;
  }
}

Note how I was able to do newE == A, instead of newE == MyEnum.A. Comes in handy if you do a lot of these throughout the code.

Answer 4

I would say, never use wildcard static imports.

Without wildcarding, on the as needed basis, I think it does reduce the clutter.

Answer 5

I use a static import only in the most glaringly obvious situations. Remember: concise code is not always the same thing as readable code.

Answer 6

Use of static import is preferred if you are using an IDE.

Answer 7

It's not at all important to convert existing working code, in fact it's just a needless cost and risk.

You can consider using it for new code, if you can find a compelling use for it. I haven't yet, but I may ...