simulation of static class in java

Question

What do you think of the following way to simulate a static class in java? You can add non static methods but you wouldn't be able to call them.

 /**
  * Utility class: this class contains only static methods and behaves as a static class.
  */
 // ... prevent instantiation with abstract keyword
 public abstract class Utilities
    {
        // ... prevent inheritance with private constructor
        private Utilities() {}

        // ... all your static methods here
        public static Person convert(String foo) {...}
    }

Answer 1

That is the usual way. However, there is not need for the abstract keyword. Using a private constructor is sufficient because

• it prevents the creation of objects (from outside the class)
• it prevents inheritance

The abstract keyword suggests the user that users of the class might implemented the class what is not the case here.