What does Static mean in VB?
EDIT - Code sample for reference
Module Module1
Sub Main()
Dim a = New Foo
Dim b = New Foo
Console.WriteLine(a.Boom)
Console.WriteLine(a.Boom)
Console.WriteLine(a.Boom)
Console.WriteLine(b.Boom)
End Sub
End Module
Class Foo
Function Boom() As Integer
Static callCount As Integer = 0
callCount += 1
Return callCount
End Function
End Class
It's a way of having fields that are local to a method. Basically, the value is maintained between calls but not accessible in other parts of the class. See Static Local Variables in VB.NET for some implementation information.
EDIT: Jonathan, you're right that the fields don't have to be Shared/static. If the function/sub is declared Shared, it will be a Shared/static field. Otherwise, it will be a instance field. Either way, it is persistent across calls and local to the method. The below example (to continue a theme) shows both behaviors clearly:
Class Fibonacci
Public Function FibonacciInstance() as Integer
Static i as Integer = -1
Static j as Integer = 1
Dim k as Integer
k = i + j
i = j
j = k
return k
End Function
Public Shared Function FibonacciShared() as Integer
Static i as Integer = -1
Static j as Integer = 1
Dim k as Integer
k = i + j
i = j
j = k
return k
End Function
Shared Sub Main()
Dim d as Integer
Dim a = New Fibonacci
Dim b = New Fibonacci
For d = 0 to 10
System.Console.WriteLine("a.FibonacciInstance: " & a.FibonacciInstance())
System.Console.WriteLine("b.FibonacciInstance: " & b.FibonacciInstance())
System.Console.WriteLine("a.FibonacciShared: " & a.FibonacciShared())
System.Console.WriteLine("b.FibonacciShared: " & b.FibonacciShared())
Next d
End Sub
End Class