How to create static methods and classes in Kotlin

Kotlin and Java handle static methods and classes differently, with Kotlin offering a simplified approach through constructs such as package-level functions, objects, and companion objects. In Java, static methods and fields are useful for operations not tied to a class instance, but defining static classes is more complex. Kotlin, by contrast, provides native support for static-like behavior, allowing for more concise and reusable code. While package-level functions in Kotlin serve as syntactic sugar for static methods in Java, they improve code maintainability and reusability by not requiring a class scope. Additionally, Kotlin's companion objects offer a way to bind utility methods closely to the classes they relate to, enhancing code organization. However, caution is advised in Kotlin's flexible environment to avoid potential pitfalls such as global mutable state. Overall, Kotlin's approach allows for a blend of object-oriented and functional programming paradigms, offering developers more freedom in structuring code.