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What is the super class of every class in Java?
Every class in java is a sub class of the class Object. When we create a class we inherit all the methods
and properties of Object class. Lets look at a simple example:

String str = "Testing";
System.out.println(str.toString());
System.out.println(str.hashCode());
System.out.println(str.clone());

if(str instanceof Object){
System.out.println("I extend Object");//Will be printed
}
In the above example, toString, hashCode and clone methods for String class are inherited from Object
class and overridden.

Can super class reference variable can hold an object of sub class?
Yes. Look at the example below:

Actor reference variables actor1, actor2 hold the reference of objects of sub classes of Animal, Comedian
and Hero.
Since object is super class of all classes, an Object reference variable can also hold an instance of any
class.

2 Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in

//Object is super class of all java classes
Object object = new Hero();

public class Actor {
public void act(){
System.out.println("Act");
};
}

//IS-A relationship. Hero is-a Actor
public class Hero extends Actor {
public void fight(){
System.out.println("fight");
};
}

//IS-A relationship. Comedian is-a Actor
public class Comedian extends Actor {
public void performComedy(){
System.out.println("Comedy");
};
}

Actor actor1 = new Comedian();
Actor actor2 = new Hero();

Is Multiple Inheritance allowed in Java?

Multiple Inheritance results in a number of complexities. Java does not support Multiple Inheritance.

class Dog extends Animal, Pet { //COMPILER ERROR
}
However, we can create an Inheritance Chain
class Pet extends Animal {
}

class Dog extends Pet {
}

What is Polymorphism?
Refer to this video(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8PTatUXtpI) for a clear explanation of
polymorphism.
Polymorphism is defined as Same Code giving Different Behavior. Lets look at an example.
Lets define an Animal class with a method shout.
public class Animal {
public String shout() {
return "Don't Know!";
}

Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in 3

}

Lets create two new sub classes of Animal overriding the existing shout method in Animal.
class Cat extends Animal {
public String shout() {
return "Meow Meow";
}
}

class Dog extends Animal {
public String shout() {
return "BOW BOW";
}

public void run(){

}
}

Look at the code below. An instance of Animal class is created. shout method is called.
Animal animal1 = new Animal();
System.out.println(
animal1.shout()); //Don't Know!

Look at the code below. An instance of Dog class is created and store in a reference variable of type
Animal.
Animal animal2 = new Dog();

//Reference variable type => Animal
//Object referred to => Dog
//Dog's bark method is called.
System.out.println(
animal2.shout()); //BOW BOW

When shout method is called on animal2, it invokes the shout method in Dog class (type of the object
pointed to by reference variable animal2).
Even though dog has a method run, it cannot be invoked using super class reference variable.
//animal2.run();//COMPILE ERROR

What is the use of instanceof Operator in Java?

instanceof operator checks if an object is of a particular type. Let us consider the following class and
interface declarations:
class SuperClass {
};

class SubClass extends SuperClass {
};

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interface Interface {
};

class SuperClassImplementingInteface implements Interface {
};

class SubClass2 extends SuperClassImplementingInteface {
};

class SomeOtherClass {
};

Lets consider the code below. We create a few instances of the classes declared above.

Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in 5

SubClass subClass = new SubClass();
Object subClassObj = new SubClass();

SubClass2 subClass2 = new SubClass2();
SomeOtherClass someOtherClass = new SomeOtherClass();

Lets now run instanceof operator on the different instances created earlier.
System.out.println(subClass instanceof SubClass);//true
System.out.println(subClass instanceof SuperClass);//true
System.out.println(subClassObj instanceof SuperClass);//true

System.out.println(subClass2
instanceof SuperClassImplementingInteface);//true

instanceof can be used with interfaces as well. Since Super Class implements the interface, below code
prints true.
System.out.println(subClass2
instanceof Interface);//true

If the type compared is unrelated to the object, a compilation error occurs.

//System.out.println(subClass
// instanceof SomeOtherClass);//Compiler Error

Object referred by subClassObj(SubClass)- NOT of type SomeOtherClass

System.out.println(subClassObj instanceof SomeOtherClass);//false

What is an Abstract Class?

An abstract class (Video Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3GLUcdlz1w ) is a class
that cannot be instantiated, but must be inherited from. An abstract class may be fully implemented,
but is more usually partially implemented or not implemented at all, thereby encapsulating common
functionality for inherited classes.
In code below AbstractClassExample ex = new AbstractClassExample(); gives a compilation error
because AbstractClassExample is declared with keyword abstract.
public abstract class AbstractClassExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
//An abstract class cannot be instantiated
//Below line gives compilation error if uncommented
//AbstractClassExample ex = new AbstractClassExample();
}
}

How do you define an abstract method?

An Abstract method does not contain body. An abstract method does not have any implementation. The
implementation of an abstract method should be provided in an over-riding method in a sub class.
//Abstract Class can contain 0 or more abstract methods
//Abstract method does not have a body

6 Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in

abstract void abstractMethod1();
abstract void abstractMethod2();

Abstract method can be declared only in Abstract Class. In the example below, abstractMethod() gives a
compiler error because NormalClass is not abstract.
class NormalClass{
abstract void abstractMethod();//COMPILER ERROR
}

What is Coupling?
Coupling is a measure of how much a class is dependent on other classes. There should minimal
dependencies between classes. So, we should always aim for low coupling between classes.

Coupling Example Problem

Consider the example below:
class ShoppingCartEntry {
public float price;
public int quantity;
}

class ShoppingCart {
public ShoppingCartEntry[] items;
}

class Order {
private ShoppingCart cart;
private float salesTax;

public Order(ShoppingCart cart, float salesTax) {
this.cart = cart;
this.salesTax = salesTax;
}

// This method know the internal details of ShoppingCartEntry and
// ShoppingCart classes. If there is any change in any of those
// classes, this method also needs to change.
public float orderTotalPrice() {
float cartTotalPrice = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < cart.items.length; i++) {
cartTotalPrice += cart.items[i].price
* cart.items[i].quantity;
}
cartTotalPrice += cartTotalPrice * salesTax;
return cartTotalPrice;
}
}

Method orderTotalPrice in Order class is coupled heavily with ShoppingCartEntry and

ShoppingCart classes. It uses different properties (items, price, quantity) from these classes. If any of
these properties change, orderTotalPrice will also change. This is not good for Maintenance.

Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in 7

Solution
Consider a better implementation with lesser coupling between classes below: In this implementation,
changes in ShoppingCartEntry or CartContents might not affect Order class at all.
class ShoppingCartEntry
{
float price;
int quantity;

public float getTotalPrice()
{
return price * quantity;
}
}

class CartContents
{
ShoppingCartEntry[] items;

public float getTotalPrice()
{
float totalPrice = 0;
for (ShoppingCartEntry item:items)
{
totalPrice += item.getTotalPrice();
}
return totalPrice;
}
}

class Order
{
private CartContents cart;
private float salesTax;

public Order(CartContents cart, float salesTax)
{
this.cart = cart;
this.salesTax = salesTax;
}

public float totalPrice()
{
return cart.getTotalPrice() * (1.0f + salesTax);
}
}

What is Cohesion?
Cohesion (Video Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkcQWoF5124 ) is a measure of
how related the responsibilities of a class are. A class must be highly cohesive i.e. its responsibilities
(methods) should be highly related to one another.

8 Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in

Example Problem
Example class below is downloading from internet, parsing data and storing data to database. The
responsibilities of this class are not really related. This is not cohesive class.
class DownloadAndStore{
void downloadFromInternet(){
}

void parseData(){
}

void storeIntoDatabase(){
}

void doEverything(){
downloadFromInternet();
parseData();
storeIntoDatabase();
}
}

Solution
This is a better way of approaching the problem. Different classes have their own responsibilities.
class InternetDownloader {
public void downloadFromInternet() {
}
}

class DataParser {
public void parseData() {
}
}

class DatabaseStorer {
public void storeIntoDatabase() {
}
}

class DownloadAndStore {
void doEverything() {
new InternetDownloader().downloadFromInternet();
new DataParser().parseData();
new DatabaseStorer().storeIntoDatabase();
}
}

What is Encapsulation?
Encapsulation is hiding the implementation of a Class behind a well defined interface. Encapsulation
helps us to change implementation of a class without breaking other code.

Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in 9

Approach 1
In this approach we create a public variable score. The main method directly accesses the score variable,
updates it.
public class CricketScorer {
public int score;
}

Lets use the CricketScorer class.
public static void main(String[] args) {
CricketScorer scorer = new CricketScorer();
scorer.score = scorer.score + 4;
}

Approach 2
In this approach, we make score as private and access value through get and set methods. However, the
logic of adding 4 to the score is performed in the main method.
public class CricketScorer {
private int score;

public int getScore() {
return score;
}

public void setScore(int score) {
this.score = score;
}
}

Lets use the CricketScorer class.

public static void main(String[] args) {
CricketScorer scorer = new CricketScorer();

int score = scorer.getScore();
scorer.setScore(score + 4);
}

Approach 3
In this approach - For better encapsulation, the logic of doing the four operation also is moved to the
CricketScorer class.
public class CricketScorer {
private int score;

public void four() {
score += 4;
}

}

Lets use the CricketScorer class.

10 Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in

public static void main(String[] args) {
CricketScorer scorer = new CricketScorer();
scorer.four();
}

Description
In terms of encapsulation Approach 3 > Approach 2 > Approach 1. In Approach 3, the user of scorer class
does not even know that there is a variable called score. Implementation of Scorer can change without
changing other classes using Scorer.

What is Method Overloading?

A method having the same name as another method (in same class or a sub class) but having different
parameters is called an Overloaded Method.

Example 1
doIt method is overloaded in the below example:
class Foo{
public void doIt(int number){

}
public void doIt(String string){

}
}

Example 2
Overloading can also be done from a sub class.
class Bar extends Foo{
public void doIt(float number){

}
}

What is Method Overriding?

Creating a Sub Class Method with same signature as that of a method in SuperClass is called Method
Overriding.

Method Overriding Example 1:

Lets define an Animal class with a method shout.
public class Animal {
public String bark() {
return "Don't Know!";
}
}

Lets create a sub class of Animal Cat - overriding the existing shout method in Animal.
class Cat extends Animal {
public String bark() {

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1

return "Meow Meow";

}
}
bark method in Cat class is overriding the bark method in Animal class.

What is an Inner Class?

Inner Classes are classes which are declared inside other classes. Consider the following example:
class OuterClass {

public class InnerClass {
}

public static class StaticNestedClass {
}

}

What is a Static Inner Class?

A class declared directly inside another class and declared as static. In the example above, class name
StaticNestedClass is a static inner class.

Can you create an inner class inside a method?

Yes. An inner class can be declared directly inside a method. In the example below, class name
MethodLocalInnerClass is a method inner class.
class OuterClass {

public void exampleMethod() {
class MethodLocalInnerClass {
};
}

}

Constructors
Constructor (Youtube Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrdxGT2s9tc ) is
invoked whenever we create an instance(object) of a Class. We cannot create an object without a
constructor. If we do not provide a constructor, compiler provides a default no-argument constructor.

What is a Default Constructor?

Default Constructor is the constructor that is provided by the compiler. It has no arguments. In the
example below, there are no Constructors defined in the Animal class. Compiler provides us with a
default constructor, which helps us create an instance of animal class.

public class Animal {
String name;

public static void main(String[] args) {

12 Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in

// Compiler provides this class with a default no-argument constructor.
// This allows us to create an instance of Animal class.
Animal animal = new Animal();
}
}

How do you call a Super Class Constructor from a Constructor?

A constructor can call the constructor of a super class using the super() method call. Only constraint is
that it should be the first statement i
Both example constructors below can replaces the no argument "public Animal() " constructor in Example
3.
public Animal() {
super();
this.name = "Default Name";
}

Can a constructor be called directly from a method?

A constructor cannot be explicitly called from any method except another constructor.
class Animal {
String name;

public Animal() {
}

public method() {
Animal();// Compiler error
}
}

Is a super class constructor called even when there is no explicit call from a
sub class constructor?
If a super class constructor is not explicitly called from a sub class constructor, super class (no argument)
constructor is automatically invoked (as first line) from a sub class constructor.
Consider the example below:
class Animal {
public Animal() {
System.out.println("Animal Constructor");
}
}

class Dog extends Animal {
public Dog() {
System.out.println("Dog Constructor");
}
}

class Labrador extends Dog {
public Labrador() {
System.out.println("Labrador Constructor");
}

Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in 1

3

}

public class ConstructorExamples {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Labrador labrador = new Labrador();
}
}

Program Output
Animal Constructor
Dog Constructor
Labrador Constructor

Interface
What is an Interface?
An interface (YouTube video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VangB-sVNgg ) defines
a contract for responsibilities (methods) of a class.

How do you define an Interface?

An interface is declared by using the keyword interface. Look at the example below: Flyable is an
interface.
//public abstract are not necessary
public abstract interface Flyable {
//public abstract are not necessary
public abstract void fly();
}

How do you implement an interface?

We can define a class implementing the interface by using the implements keyword. Let us look at a
couple of examples:

Example 1
Class Aeroplane implements Flyable and implements the abstract method fly().
public class Aeroplane implements Flyable{
@Override
public void fly() {
System.out.println("Aeroplane is flying");
}
}

Example 2
public class Bird implements Flyable{
@Override
public void fly() {
System.out.println("Bird is flying");
}
}

14 Java Interview Questions www.JavaInterview.in

Can you tell a little bit more about interfaces?

Variables in an interface are always public, static, final. Variables in an interface cannot be declared
private.
interface ExampleInterface1 {
//By default - public static final. No other modifier allowed
//value1,value2,value3,value4 all are - public static final
int value1 = 10;
public int value2 = 15;
public static int value3 = 20;
public static final int value4 = 25;
//private int value5 = 10;//COMPILER ERROR
}

Interface methods are by default public and abstract. A concrete method (fully defined method) cannot
be created in an interface. Consider the example below:
interface ExampleInterface1 {
//By default - public abstract. No other modifier allowed
void method1();//method1 is public and abstract
//private void method6();//COMPILER ERROR!

/*//Interface cannot have body (definition) of a method
//This method, uncommented, gives COMPILER ERROR!
void method5() {
System.out.println("Method5");
}
*/
}

Can you extend an interface?

An interface can extend another interface. Consider the example below:

interface SubInterface1 extends ExampleInterface1{
void method3();
}

Class implementing SubInterface1 should implement both methods - method3 and method1(from
ExampleInterface1)
An interface cannot extend a class.
/* //COMPILE ERROR IF UnCommented
//Interface cannot extend a Class
interface SubInterface2 extends Integer{
void method3();
}
*/

Can a class extend multiple interfaces?

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5

A class can implement multiple interfaces. It should implement all the method declared in all Interfaces
being implemented.

interface ExampleInterface2 {
void method2();
}

class SampleImpl implements ExampleInterface1,ExampleInterface2{
/* A class should implement all the methods in an interface.
If either of method1 or method2 is commented, it would
result in compilation error.
*/
public void method2() {
System.out.println("Sample Implementation for Method2");
}

public void method1() {
System.out.println("Sample Implementation for Method1");
}

}

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