Final means that it can not be istanciated, nothing having to do with the finalness of the things inside. Take care, Sina From: program-java-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:program-java-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Stanzel, Susan - Kansas City, MO Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 12:53 PM To: program-java@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [program-java] Re: Java: Constants Hi Jim C, I think from my reading you can?t have static and final together. I would think a final class would mean everything in it is final, but this really contradicts the whole Java idea. Susie From: program-java-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:program-java-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Corbett, James Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 8:49 AM To: 'program-java@xxxxxxxxxxxxx' Subject: [program-java] Java: Constants Hello: If a class is final: Public final class Constants?. Is it implied that all members are by default final or when they are declared it's still requires the final key word: Public static final String MY_STRING = "Hello"; ?and why would a developer have a static import? Jim James M. Corbett Programmer / Analyst | Canada Revenue Agency | Agence du revenue du Canada 875 Heron Rd. Ottawa, On. K1A0L5 James.Corbett@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Telephone | Téléphone: (613) 941-1338 Facsimile | Télécopieur: (613) 941-2261 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada "Due to the highly confidential nature of my job, I'm not allowed to know what I'm doing."