Which of the following statements is TRUE about static initializers in Java?

D. They are used to initialize static fields. Explanation: Static initializers are blocks of code enclosed in curly braces ({}) preceded by the static keyword within a class definition. Their primary purpose is to: Initialize static fields: These blocks are executed when the class is loaded into memory (before any objects of the class are created). This makes them suitable for initializing static variables with values that are needed throughout the class's lifecycle. Key Points about Static Initializers: Execution Order: While they are generally executed before instance initializers, the exact timing can vary depending on the specific class loader implementation and potential interactions with other static initializers in related classes. No Instance Variable Access: Static initializers cannot directly access instance variables because they run before any objects (instances) are created. They can only access static fields of the class or constant values. Access Modifiers: Static initializers can be declared with various access modifiers (public, private, protected) depending on the intended visibility of the initialization code. Incorrect Statements and Explanations: A. They are always executed before instance initializers: While this is usually true, the exact order can be influenced by class loading specifics and interactions with other static initializers. B. They can access instance variables of the same class: This is not possible. Since static initializers run before instances exist, they cannot access instance variables directly C. They must be declared private: Static initializers can have different access modifiers (public, private, protected) based on the desired visibility of the initialization logic.