Question: > 
> **Possible Duplicate:**  
> 
> [Static Initialization Blocks](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2420389/static-initialization-blocks) 
> 
> 
> 

Consider the following *code*:

```
public class Test {
    {
        System.out.println("Empty block");
    }
    static {
        System.out.println("Static block");
    }
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Test t = new Test();
    }
}

```

We understand that first the *static* block would be executed followed by the *empty* block. But the problem is that I have never been able to understand the real utility of an *empty* block. Can anyone show a real example in which -

* Both *static* and *empty* blocks are being used
* Both *static* and *empty* blocks have different utilities

Answer: 
They're for two very different purposes:

* The static initializer block will be called on loading of the class, and will have no access to instance variables or methods. As per @Prahalad Deshpande's comment, it is often used to create static variables.
* The non-static initializer block on the other hand is created on object construction only, will have access to instance variables and methods, and (as per the important correction suggested by @EJP) will be called at the beginning of the constructor, after the super constructor has been called (either explicitly or implicitly) and *before* any other subsequent constructor code is called. I've seen it used when a class has multiple constructors and needs the same initialization code called for all constructors. Just as with constructors, you should avoid calling non-final methods in this block.

Note that this question has been answered many times in stackoverflow and you would do well to search and review the similar questions and their answers. For example: [static-initialization-blocks](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2420389/static-initialization-blocks)
The static block is executed whenever your class loads. The empty block is executed whenever you instantiate your class. Try comparing these:

**1.**

```
public static void main(String[] args) {
    Test t = new Test();
}

```

**2.**

```
public static void main(String[] args) {

}

```

---

Outputs:

**1.**

> 
> Static block  
> 
>  Empty block
> 
> 
> 

**2.**

> 
> Static block 
> 
> 
> 

In Layman words, static block only gets called **once**, no matter how many objects of that type you create.