Java static methods + classes

First off I want to say that I'm very new to Java, coming from a C++ background. I can never get in contact with my teacher so I would like to try to post this question here that I have been wondering for a while (hopefully I can word it correctly):

How do I create methods without using static ? I know I probably need to make a class for it but how do I go about it? Just a class without variables and just functions? Do I make a second class that encompasses main other than the class named after the .java file? For instance:

package musiclibrary; import java.util.Scanner; /** * This class implements a user to create a playlist from a selection of artists and songs * @author ahb5190 */ public class MusicLibrary { static String divider = "*****************************************************"; //Scanner class static Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in); /** * Welcome menu */ public static void welcomeMenu() { System.out.println(divider); System.out.println(); System.out.println("Welcome to Art's personal music library!"); System.out.println(); System.out.println("Choose an option:"); System.out.println("1) Create Playlist"); System.out.println("2) Delete Playlist"); System.out.println("3) Add Selection to Playlist"); System.out.println("4) Remove Selection from Playlist"); System.out.println("5) Quit"); System.out.println(); System.out.print("Your choice?: "); } /** * * @param min error check low bound * @param max error check high bound * @return */ public static int getData(int min, int max) { boolean goodInput = false; int choice = 1; //Will be overwritten while(!goodInput) { choice = input.nextInt(); if(choice < min || choice > max) { System.out.print(choice + " is not a valid choice. Please enter a number between " + min + " and " + max + ": "); goodInput = false; } else { goodInput = true; } } return choice; } /** * @param args the command line arguments */ public static void main(String[] args) { //Variables int getDataMin = 1; int getDataMax = 5; boolean quit = false; int userInput; do { welcomeMenu(); userInput = getData(getDataMin, getDataMax); if (userInput == 1) { quit = false; } else if (userInput == 2) { quit = false; } else if (userInput == 3) { quit = false; } else if (userInput == 4) { quit = false; } else if (userInput == 5) { quit = true; } } while(!quit); } 

}

is the very beginning of a java program that was assigned. If I remove static from public static void welcomeMenu() it gives me non-static method welcomeMenu() cannot be referenced from a static context when I try to call welcomeMenu(); in main.

Another block of code (not very neat, was part of a timed exam):

package lalala; /** * * @author ahb5190 */ public class Lalala { public class Movie { private String title; private String genre; private String director; private String star; public Movie (String t, String g, String d, String s) { title = t; genre = g; director = d; star = s; } public String gettitle() { return title; } public String getGenre() { return genre; } public String getDirector() { return director; } public String getStar() { return star; } public void setTitle(String x) { title = x; } public void setGenre(String x) { genre = x; } public void setDirector(String x) { director = x; } public void setsStar(String x) { star = x; } public boolean equals(Movie otherMovie) { if(otherMovie == null) { return false; } else { return title.equals(otherMovie.title) && genre.equals(otherMovie.genre) && director.equals(otherMovie.director) && star.equals(otherMovie.star); } } @Override public String toString() { return(title + " " + genre + " " + director + " " + star); } } /** * @param args the command line arguments */ public static void main(String args[]) { Movie a; a = new Movie("Star Trek into Darkness", "Sci-fi", "J.J. Abrams", "Chris Pine"); //error: non-static variables this cannot be referenced from a static context Movie b = new Movie("Star Trek", "Sci-Fi", "J.J. Abrams", "Chris Pine"); //error: non-static variables this cannot be referenced from a static context Movie c = new Movie("Independence Day", "Action", "Roland Emmerich", "Will Smith"); //error: non-static variables this cannot be referenced from a static context System.out.println("Movies"); System.out.println("Title: " + a.title); System.out.println("Genre: " + a.genre); System.out.println("Director: " + a.director); System.out.println("Star: " + a.star); System.out.println(); System.out.println("Title: " + b.title); System.out.println("Genre: " + b.genre); System.out.println("Director: " + b.director); System.out.println("Star: " + b.star); System.out.println(); System.out.println("Title: " + c.title); System.out.println("Genre: " + c.genre); System.out.println("Director: " + c.director); System.out.println("Star: " + c.star); System.out.println(); a.equals(b); } } 

gives me same static variable error as before, as commented on the code above. In that scenario, how I got it to 'work' was to remove static from public static void main(String args[]).

Really trying to learn the right way to Java, any help would be appreciated. Also I hope this meets MCV.