java - Should static methods be separated from Classes with instance methods? -

as general convention, should static method(s) separated class class instance methods?

is there example of reason?

there no general convention dictates static method must separate non-static method. in fact, if 2 methods related enough 1 another, counter-intuitive have methods separated.

recall use case static methods (and fields) have: they're methods/fields can used without instance of particular class. means hold valuable metadata or perform useful operation that's related class instance, not require direct instantiation of class.

take, example, integer. has static [final] fields max_value , min_value. since both of these fields contain fixed information not change between instantiations, not make sense have instantiate integer information.

integer has useful operation parseint, takes string , turns int. shouldn't require instance of integer convert string int, especially if we're not placing instance of integer.

the overarching convention has been keep related methods together, regardless of if they're static or not. can see clearer examples of in java library classes, integer.