In Java, when is the constructor of an enumeration constant called?

To use a creative example in Java, here is the code:

enum Commands{
   Save("S");
   File("F");

   private String shortCut;
   private Commands(String shortCut){ this.shortCut = shortCut; }
   public String getShortCut(){ return shortCut; }
}

I have the following test / driver code:

public static void main(String args[]){
   System.out.println(Commands.Save.getShortCut());
}

The question is: in Java, when do I call the constructor of enumeration constants? In the above example, I only use save enumeration constants Does this mean that the constructor can only be called once to create a save? Or build save and file together?

Solution

The constructor is called when the enumeration class is initialized Each constructor will be called in member declaration order, regardless of which members are actually referenced and used