Final answer:
A static method is defined at the class level and can be called without instantiating the class, using the class name. In contrast, an ordinary method requires an object instance for activation and is used to access or modify the object's state.
Step-by-step explanation:
A static method is one that belongs to the class, rather than any object instance. This means that a static method can be called without creating an instance of the class. Static methods typically are used to perform operations that don't require any object state. For example, a utility method that sums two numbers could be static because it does not rely on any internal state.
Activation of a static method is different than that of an ordinary (instance) method. A static method is activated using the class name, no instance of the class is necessary. This contrasts with an instance method which requires an object to be created and then uses that object to call the method, allowing the method to access the instance's internal state.
Here is an example in Java:
public class MathUtil {
public static int sum(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
}
}
// Static method activation
int result = MathUtil.sum(5, 10);
Whereas to call an instance method, one would have to create an object first, like so:
public class Counter {
private int count;
public void increment() {
count++;
}
}
// Instance method activation
Counter myCounter = new Counter();
myCounter.increment();