Creating a Nested (i.e., Inner) Class

You can create classes that are enclosed in other types (i.e., nested classes).

1.

Open the New Class wizard. See Opening the New Class Wizard

2.

If a folder is found for the current selection, that folder appears in the Folder field as the container for the new class.

Edit the Folder field as needed to indicate in which folder you want the new class to reside. You can either type a path or click the Browse button to find the folder.

3.

Check the Enclosing Type box.

In the Enclosing Type field, type the name of the enclosing type or click the Browse button to select the enclosing type for the new class.

4.

In the Name field, type a name for the new class.

5.

Select the desired access modifier by using the Access Modifiers radio buttons.

  • public
  • default
  • private
  • protected

6.

Select the type modifiers for the new class by checking and clearing the appropriate check boxes:

  • abstract
  • static
  • final

7.

In the Superclass field, type or click Browse to select a superclass for the new class.

8.

Click the Add button to add interfaces for the new class to extend.

9.

If you want to create some method stubs in the new class:

  • Check the public static void main(String[] args) box if you want the wizard to add the main method to the new class, thus making it a starting point of an application.
  • Check the Constructors from superclass box if you want the wizard to create, in the new class, a set of constructors, one for each of the constructors declared in the superclass. Each of them will have the same number of parameters (of the same types) as the respective constructor from the superclass.
  • Check the Inherited abstract methods box if you want the wizard to generate method stubs for each of the abstract methods that the new class will inherit from its superclass and implemented interfaces.

10.

Click Finish when you are done.

Note: The new class is created in the same compilation unit as its enclosing type.