In Java array syntax, int[] a, b[] declares 'a' as a 1D int array and 'b' as a 2D int array. However, int a[], b[] declares BOTH 'a' and 'b' as 1D int arrays. The brackets bind differently: in the first form, brackets apply only to the immediately preceding variable; in the second form, they apply to all variables in that declaration. This tests understanding of Java's mixed array declaration syntax.