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What is the difference between these two innerclass declarations? Also comment on advantages/disadvantages? case A: class within a class. public class Levels { static public class Items { public String value; public String path; public String getValue() { return value;} } } and case B: class within interface. public interface Levels{ public class Items { public String value; public String path; public String getValue() { return value;} } } Made correction: to placement of getvalue method. further info: I am able to instantiate Items class in both cases A and B in another class that does not implement interface AT ALL. public class Z{//NOTE: NO INTERFACE IMPLEMENTED here!!!! Levels.Items items = new Levels.Items(); } Since an interface is not instantiated, all the elements inside an interface are accessible by dot notation without LEVELS interface instantiated simply because you cannot instantiate an interface - effectively making a class defined inside an interface permeable to static reference. So saying that Items class in case B is not static does not make sense. Since both cases A and B are instantiated the same way, I am not looking for semantics on what is static or inner or nested. Stop giving me answers on semantics. I want the compiler, runtime and behavioural differences/advantages, or if none then say so. No more answers on semantics please!!!!! An expert on JVM or .NET VM specification innards please this answer question rather than text book semanticissiests.

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