Inner Classes

The Java^TM Tutorial

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Trail: To 1.1 -- And Beyond!
Lesson: What's New in 1.1?

Inner Classes

Previous releases of the Java language required that all classes be top-level classes--classes declared as members of a package. The JDK 1.1 release removes this restriction and now allows classes to be declared in any scope. Classes declared inside other classes are called nested classes, and one common type of nested class is called an inner class.

Where to Find Documentation

You can get a first glimpse of an inner class in the Spot applet found at Reality Break! The Spot Applet .
Nested and inner classes are covered thoroughly in and Implementing Nested Classes .

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