Static method of inner class needs this

[Steven Schveighoffer via Digitalmars-d-learn]

On 2/9/15 4:30 AM, ketmar wrote:
> On Mon, 09 Feb 2015 07:32:32 +0000, rumbu wrote:
>
>> class Outer {
>>       class Inner {
>>           static Inner createInner()
>>           {
>>               return new Inner(); //need 'this' to access member
>> this
>>           }
>>       }
>> }
>>
>> Is this a bug?
>
> strictly speaking, this is not a bug. compiler doesn't do deep analysis
> on nested structures/classes to determine if they really require context
> pointer. you can use `static class Inner` to tell the compiler that
> `Inner` doesn't require any context.
>

To expand on this, nested classes (that is, a class nested inside 
another class) REQUIRE a pointer to the outer class instance (accessed 
via hidden member outer). The reason for this is Java portability. 
Seriously :)

-Steve