[Vala] Why do we keep static fields in GObject derived classes?

[Geert Jordaens <geert jordaens telenet be>]

Why do we keep static fields in GObject derived classes?

There is currently no way of correctly accessing static class members 
unless at least one object is instantiated.
Moreover the initialisation of the fields depends on the variable type 
(valuetype/reftype).

    public class ClassA : Object {
        public static int int_value_a = 7;                    // <= 
Initialised in outside GObject class
        public static string string_value_a = "7";  // <= Initialised 
within the GObject class *_class_init
    }

    void main() {
        stdout.printf("Access to static member ClassA.int_value_a == 
%d\n",ClassA.int_value_a);
        stdout.printf("Access to static member ClassA.string_value_a == 
%s\n",ClassA.string_value_a);
        var a = new ClassA();
        stdout.printf("After first ClassA object instatiation\n");
        stdout.printf("Access to static member ClassA.int_value_a == 
%d\n",ClassA.int_value_a);
        stdout.printf("Access to static member ClassA.string_value_a == 
%s\n",ClassA.string_value_a);
    }

    => output

    Access to static member ClassA.int_value_a    == 7
    Access to static member ClassA.string_value_a == (null)
    After first ClassA object instatiation
    Access to static member ClassA.int_value_a    == 7
    Access to static member ClassA.string_value_a == 7


Could we define static fields as guaranteed initialized once class 
fields? Keep the static modifier as a guard.

    public class ClassA : Object {
        public static int int_value_a = 7;                    // <= 
Move field initializer within the GObject class *_class_init
        public static string string_value_a = "7";  // <= Move field 
initializer within the GObject class *_class_init (AS-IS)

        /*
         * Allow as field initializers are generated within the GObject 
class *_class_init
     */
        static construct {
            int_value_a = 7;
            string_value_a = "7";
        }

        /*
         * Not allow access to static fields in a class construct block
         * as field initializers are generated within the GObject class 
*_base_init
         * and are initialized on each first call of a Gobject Type / 
Sub Type
     */
        class construct {
            /*
             * Issue an Error or Waring for BC:
             * Access to static member %s.%s in class construct 
forbidden/discouradged
             */
            int_value_a = 6;
            string_value_a = "6";
        }

        /*
         * Not allow access to static fields in a object construct block
         * as field initializers are generated within the GObject class 
*_constructor
         * and are initialized on each instantiation of an object.
     */
        construct {
            /*
             * Issue an Error or Waring for BC:
             * Access to static member %s.%s in construct 
forbidden/discouradged
             */
            int_value_a = 5;
            string_value_a = "5";
        }

        /*
         *  Not allow access in the standard object constructor 
(guaranteed initialize once)
     */
        public    ClassA () {
            /*
             * Issue an Error or Waring for BC:
             * Access to static member %s.%s in construct 
forbidden/discouradged
             */
            int_value_a = 4;
            string_value_a = "4";
        }

        /*
         *  Allow access for a non standard constuctor that overrules 
guaranteed initialize once
     */
        public    ClassA.x () {
            int_value_a = 4;
            string_value_a = "4";
        }
    }


I think this would make the behavior more defined.