The Java Language Specification, Third Edition

12.4 Initialization of Classes and Interfaces EXECUTION
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• InstantiationError: A symbolic reference has been encountered that is
used in class instance creation expression, but an instance cannot be created
because the reference turns out to refer to an interface or to an abstract
class.
This can occur, for example, if a class that is originally not abstract is
changed to be abstract after another class that refers to the class in question
has been compiled (§13.4.1).
• NoSuchFieldError: A symbolic reference has been encountered that refers
to a specific field of a specific class or interface, but the class or interface does
not contain a field of that name.
This can occur, for example, if a field declaration was deleted from a class
after another class that refers to the field was compiled (§13.4.8).
• NoSuchMethodError: A symbolic reference has been encountered that refers
to a specific method of a specific class or interface, but the class or interface
does not contain a method of that signature.
This can occur, for example, if a method declaration was deleted from a class
after another class that refers to the method was compiled (§13.4.12).
Additionally, an UnsatisfiedLinkError (a subclass of LinkageError)
may be thrown if a class declares a native method for which no implementation
can be found. The error will occur if the method is used, or earlier, depending on
what kind of resolution strategy is being used by the virtual machine (§12.3).
12.4 Initialization of Classes and Interfaces
Initialization of a class consists of executing its static initializers and the initializers
for static fields (class variables) declared in the class. Initialization of an
interface consists of executing the initializers for fields (constants) declared there.
Before a class is initialized, its superclass must be initialized, but interfaces
implemented by the class are not initialized. Similarly, the superinterfaces of an
interface are not initialized before the interface is initialized.
DRAFT
12.4.1 When Initialization Occurs
Initialization of a class consists of executing its static initializers and the initializers
for static fields declared in the class. Initialization of an interface consists of
executing the initializers for fields declared in the interface.