How to Fix the 'Non-static Method Cannot Be Referenced from a Static Context' Error in Java

Why am I encountering the 'non-static method cannot be referenced from a static context' error in Java?

public void setLoanItem(String loan) {
    this.onloan = loan;
}

The error message 'non-static method cannot be referenced from a static context' in Java indicates that you are trying to call an instance method (non-static) from a static context, usually without an instance of the class to invoke the method on. To call non-static methods, you must first create an instance of the class.

Media media = new Media();
media.setLoanItem("Yes");

Causes

• You are attempting to call a non-static method directly on the class itself without creating an instance.
• Static context refers to methods or blocks that are defined at the class level, not at the instance level.

Solutions

• Create an instance of the Media class in the GUI class, then call the setLoanItem method on that instance.
• Modify the method in the Media class to make it static if it does not require instance variables.

Mistake: Calling a non-static method without an object of the class.

Solution: Ensure you create an instance of the class to call its non-static methods.

Mistake: Confusing static context with instance context.

Solution: Understand the difference between static and non-static members of a class.