Static vs class functions/variables in Swift classes?

Question

The following code compiles in Swift 1.2:

class myClass {     static func myMethod1() {     }     class func myMethod2() {     }     static var myVar1 = "" }  func doSomething() {     myClass.myMethod1()     myClass.myMethod2()     myClass.myVar1 = "abc" } 

What is the difference between a static function and a class function? Which one should I use, and when?

If I try to define another variable class var myVar2 = "", it says:

Class stored properties not yet supported in classes; did you mean 'static'?

When this feature is supported, what will the difference be between a static variable and a class variable (i.e. when both are defined in a class)? Which one should I use, and when?

(Xcode 6.3)

Answer 1

static and class both associate a method with a class, rather than an instance of a class. The difference is that subclasses can override class methods; they cannot override static methods.

class properties will theoretically function in the same way (subclasses can override them), but they're not possible in Swift yet.

Answer 2

I tried mipadi's answer and comments on playground. And thought of sharing it. Here you go. I think mipadi's answer should be mark as accepted.

class A{     class func classFunction(){     }     static func staticFunction(){     }     class func classFunctionToBeMakeFinalInImmediateSubclass(){     } }  class B: A {     override class func classFunction(){              }          //Compile Error. Class method overrides a 'final' class method     override static func staticFunction(){              }          //Let's avoid the function called 'classFunctionToBeMakeFinalInImmediateSubclass' being overriden by subclasses          /* First way of doing it     override static func classFunctionToBeMakeFinalInImmediateSubclass(){     }     */          // Second way of doing the same     override final class func classFunctionToBeMakeFinalInImmediateSubclass(){     }          //To use static or final class is choice of style.     //As mipadi suggests I would use. static at super class. and final class to cut off further overrides by a subclass }  class C: B{     //Compile Error. Class method overrides a 'final' class method     override static func classFunctionToBeMakeFinalInImmediateSubclass(){              } }