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Like classes and variables, methods too have can have the access modifiers and other (non-access) modifiers. Since methods deal with implementation, the implementation specific modifiers are applicable to them, For example, modifiers static, final, native, abstract and synchronized are applicable to methods. They are called implementation-specific modifiers because they change the way a method is implemented. The storage-specific modifiers, transient and volatile are not applicable to methods. Following general format for method declaration might help you in remembering the applicable method modifiers:
[Access Modifiers] [static] [final] [native] [abstract] [synchronized] returnType methodName ([method Parameters]) [throws Exceptions]
The items between [ ] are optional. Let us quickly summarize what each modifier indicates.
The Access Modifier defines the
accessibility level (see section 3.2) of the method
static
modifier indicates that the method is a class method as opposed to an instance
method.
final modifier
indicates that the method cannot be overridden.
native modifier
indicates that the method is only defined here and implementation is linked to
a native library.
abstract modifier
indicates that the method is only defined here. The implementation is provided
in subclasses.
synchronized modifier indicates that the method can only be
accessed by one thread at a time.
Each of these modifiers are optional. Let us discuss each one in detail.