OOPs (Object Oriented Programming System)

Object means a real word entity such as pen, chair, table etc. Object-Oriented Programming is a
methodology or paradigm to design a program using classes and objects. It simplifies the software
development and maintenance by providing some concepts:
Object
Class
Inheritance
Polymorphism
Abstraction
Encapsulation

Object
Any entity that has state and behavior is known as an object. For example: chair, pen, table,
keyboard, bike etc. It can be physical and logical.

Class
Collection of objects is called class. It is a logical entity.

Inheritance
When one object acquires all the properties and behaviours of parent object i.e. known as
inheritance. It provides code reusability. It is used to achieve runtime polymorphism.

Polymorphism
When one task is performed by different ways i.e. known as polymorphism. For example: to
convense the customer differently, to draw something e.g. shape or rectangle etc.
In java, we use method overloading and method overriding to achieve polymorphism.
Another example can be to speak something e.g. cat speaks meaw, dog barks woof etc.

Abstraction
Hiding internal details and showing functionality is known as abstraction. For example: phone
call, we don't know the internal processing.
In java, we use abstract class and interface to achieve abstraction.

Encapsulation
Binding (or wrapping) code and data together into a single unit is known as
encapsulation. For example: capsule, it is wrapped with different medicines.
A java class is the example of encapsulation. Java bean is the fully encapsulated class because all
the data members are private here.

Advantage of OOPs over Procedure-oriented programming language

1)OOPs makes development and maintenance easier where as in Procedure-oriented
programming language it is not easy to manage if code grows as project size grows.
2)OOPs provides data hiding whereas in Procedure-oriented prgramming language a global data
can be accessed from anywhere.

3)OOPs provides ability to simulate real-world event much more effectively. We can provide the
solution of real word problem if we are using the Object-Oriented Programming language.

What is difference between object-oriented programming language and objectbased programming language?
Object based programming language follows all the features of OOPs except Inheritance.
JavaScript and VBScript are examples of object based programming languages.

Object in Java
An entity that has state and behavior is known as an object e.g. chair, bike, marker, pen, table, car
etc. It can be physical or logical (tengible and intengible). The example of integible object is banking
system.
An object has three characteristics:

state: represents data (value) of an object.

behavior: represents the behavior (functionality) of an object such as deposit, withdraw etc.
identity: Object identity is typically implemented via a unique ID. The value of the ID is not
visible to the external user. But,it is used internally by the JVM to identify each object
uniquely.

For Example: Pen is an object. Its name is Reynolds, color is white etc. known as its state. It is
used to write, so writing is its behavior.
Object is an instance of a class. Class is a template or blueprint from which objects are
created. So object is the instance(result) of a class.

Class in Java
A class is a group of objects that has common properties. It is a template or blueprint from which
objects are created.
A class in java can contain:

data member
method

1.
2.
3.
4.

constructor
block
class and interface

Syntax to declare a class:

class <class_name>{
data member;
method;
}

Simple Example of Object and Class

In this example, we have created a Student class that have two data members id and name. We are
creating the object of the Student class by new keyword and printing the objects value.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

class Student{
int id;//data member (also instance variable)
String name;//data member(also instance variable)
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1=new Student();//creating an object of Student
System.out.println(s1.id+" "+s1.name);
}
}
Output:0 null

Instance variable in Java

A variable that is created inside the class but outside the method, is known as instance
variable.Instance variable doesn't get memory at compile time.It gets memory at runtime when
object(instance) is created.That is why, it is known as instance variable.

Method in Java
In java, a method is like function i.e. used to expose behaviour of an object.

Advantage of Method

Code Reusability
Code Optimization

new keyword
The new keyword is used to allocate memory at runtime.

Example of Object and class that maintains the

records of students
In this example, we are creating the two objects of Student class and initializing the value to
these objects by invoking the insertRecord method on it. Here, we are displaying the state (data)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

of the objects by invoking the displayInformation method.

class Student{
int rollno;
String name;
void insertRecord(int r, String n){ //method

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.

rollno=r;
name=n;
}
void displayInformation(){System.out.println(rollno+" "+name);}//method
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1=new Student();
Student s2=new Student();
s1.insertRecord(111,"Karan");
s2.insertRecord(222,"Aryan");
s1.displayInformation();
s2.displayInformation();
}
}
Output:111 Karan
222 Aryan

As you see in the above figure, object gets the memory in Heap area and reference variable
refers to the object allocated in the Heap memory area. Here, s1 and s2 both are reference
variables that refer to the objects allocated in memory.

Another Example of Object and Class

There is given another example that maintains the records of Rectangle class. Its exaplanation is
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

same as in the above Student class example.

class Rectangle{
int length;
int width;
void insert(int l,int w){
length=l;
width=w;
}
void calculateArea(){System.out.println(length*width);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Rectangle r1=new Rectangle();
Rectangle r2=new Rectangle();
r1.insert(11,5);
r2.insert(3,15);
r1.calculateArea();

20.
21.
22.

r2.calculateArea();
}
}
Output:55
45

What are the different ways to create an object in Java?

There

are
By
By
By
By

many ways to create an object in java. They are:

new keyword
newInstance() method
clone() method
factory method etc.

We will learn, these ways to create the object later.

Annonymous object
Annonymous simply means nameless.An object that have no reference is known as annonymous
object.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

If you have to use an object only once, annonymous object is a good approach.
class Calculation{
void fact(int n){
int fact=1;
for(int i=1;i<=n;i++){
fact=fact*i;
}
System.out.println("factorial is "+fact);
}
public static void main(String args[]){
new Calculation().fact(5);//calling method with annonymous object
}
}
Output:Factorial is 120

Creating multiple objects by one type only

1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

We can create multiple objects by one type only as we do in case of primitives.

Rectangle r1=new Rectangle(),r2=new Rectangle();//creating two objects
Let's see the example:
class Rectangle{
int length;
int width;
void insert(int l,int w){
length=l;
width=w;
}
void calculateArea(){System.out.println(length*width);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Rectangle r1=new Rectangle(),r2=new Rectangle();//creating two objects
r1.insert(11,5);
r2.insert(3,15);

17.
18.
19.
20.
21.

r1.calculateArea();
r2.calculateArea();
}
}
Output:55
45

Method Overloading in Java

If a class have multiple methods by same name but different parameters, it is known as Method
Overloading.
If we have to perform only one operation, having same name of the methods increases the
readability of the program.
Suppose you have to perform addition of the given numbers but there can be any number of
arguments, if you write the method such as a(int,int) for two parameters, and b(int,int,int) for three
parameters then it may be difficult for you as well as other programmers to understand the
behaviour of the method because its name differs. So, we perform method overloading to figure out
the program quickly.

Advantage of method overloading?

Method overloading increases the readability of the program.

Different ways to overload the method

There are two ways to overload the method in java
1. By changing number of arguments
2. By changing the data type

In java, Methood Overloading is not possible by changing the return type of the method.

1)Example of Method Overloading by changing the no.

of arguments
In this example, we have created two overloaded methods, first sum method performs addition of
two numbers and second sum method performs addition of three numbers.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

class Calculation{
void sum(int a,int b){System.out.println(a+b);}
void sum(int a,int b,int c){System.out.println(a+b+c);}
public static void main(String args[]){

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Calculation obj=new Calculation();

obj.sum(10,10,10);
obj.sum(20,20);
}
}
Output:30
40

2)Example of Method Overloading by changing data

type of argument
In this example, we have created two overloaded methods that differs in data type. The first sum
method receives two integer arguments and second sum method receives two double arguments.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

class Calculation{
void sum(int a,int b){System.out.println(a+b);}
void sum(double a,double b){System.out.println(a+b);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Calculation obj=new Calculation();
obj.sum(10.5,10.5);
obj.sum(20,20);
}
}
Output:21.0
40

Que) Why Method Overloaing is not possible by changing the return type of method?
In java, method overloading is not possible by changing the return type of the method because
there may occur ambiguity. Let's see how ambiguity may occur:
because there was problem:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

class Calculation{
int sum(int a,int b){System.out.println(a+b);}
double sum(int a,int b){System.out.println(a+b);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Calculation obj=new Calculation();
int result=obj.sum(20,20); //Compile Time Error
}
}
int result=obj.sum(20,20); //Here how can java determine which sum() method should be called

Can we overload main() method?

Yes, by method overloading. You can have any number of main methods in a class by method
overloading. Let's see the simple example:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

class Simple{
public static void main(int a){
System.out.println(a);
}

public static void main(String args[]){

System.out.println("main() method invoked");
main(10);
}

Output:main() method invoked

10

Constructor in Java
Constructor is a special type of method that is used to initialize the object.
Constructor is invoked at the time of object creation. It constructs the values i.e. provides data
for the object that is why it is known as constructor.

Rules for creating constructor

There are basically two rules defined for the constructor.
1. Constructor name must be same as its class name
2. Constructor must have no explicit return type

Types of constructors
There are two types of constructors:
1. default constructor (no-arg constructor)
2. parameterized constructor

1) Default Constructor
A constructor that have no parameter is known as default constructor.

Syntax of default constructor:

1.

<class_name>(){}

Example of default constructor

In this example, we are creating the no-arg constructor in the Bike class. It will be invoked at the

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

time of object creation.

class Bike{
Bike(){System.out.println("Bike is created");}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike b=new Bike();
}
}
Output: Bike is created

Rule: If there is no constructor in a class, compiler automatically creates a default constructor.

Que)What is the purpose of default constructor?

Default constructor provides the default values to the object like 0, null etc. depending on the type.

Example of default constructor that displays the

default values
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

class Student{
int id;
String name;
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1=new Student();
Student s2=new Student();
s1.display();
s2.display();
}
}
Output:0 null
0 null
Explanation:In the above class,you are not creating any constructor so compiler provides you a
default constructor.Here 0 and null values are provided by default constructor.

Parameterized constructor
A constructor that have parameters is known as parameterized constructor.

Why use parameterized constructor?

Parameterized constructor is used to provide different values to the distinct objects.

Example of parameterized constructor

In this example, we have created the constructor of Student class that have two parameters. We
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

can have any number of parameters in the constructor.

class Student{
int id;
String name;
Student(int i,String n){
id = i;
name = n;
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1 = new Student(111,"Karan");
Student s2 = new Student(222,"Aryan");
s1.display();
s2.display();
}
}
Output:111 Karan
222 Aryan

Constructor Overloading
Constructor overloading is a technique in Java in which a class can have any number of
constructors that differ in parameter lists.The compiler differentiates these constructors by taking
into account the number of parameters in the list and their type.

Example of Constructor Overloading

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

class Student{
int id;
String name;
int age;
Student(int i,String n){
id = i;
name = n;
}
Student(int i,String n,int a){
id = i;
name = n;
age=a;
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name+" "+age);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1 = new Student(111,"Karan");
Student s2 = new Student(222,"Aryan",25);
s1.display();
s2.display();
}
}
Output:111 Karan 0
222 Aryan 25

What is the difference between constructor and method ?

There are many differences between constructors and methods. They are given below.
Constructor

Method

Constructor is used to initialize the state of an

Method is used to expose

object.

behaviour of an object.

Constructor must not have return type.

Method must have return type.

Constructor is invoked implicitly.

Method is invoked explicitly.

The java compiler provides a default constructor if

Method is not provided by compiler

you don't have any constructor.

in any case.

Constructor name must be same as the class

Method name may or may not be

name.

same as class name.

Copying the values of one object to another like copy constructor

in C++
There are many ways to copy the values of one object into another. They are:

By constructor
By assigning the values of one object into another
By clone() method of Object class

In this example, we are going to copy the values of one object into another using constructor.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

class Student{
int id;
String name;
Student(int i,String n){
id = i;
name = n;
}
Student(Student s){
id = s.id;
name =s.name;
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1 = new Student(111,"Karan");
Student s2 = new Student(s1);
s1.display();
s2.display();
}

21.

}
Output:111 Karan
111 Karan

Copying the values of one object to another without constructor

We can copy the values of one object into another by assigning the objects values to another
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

object. In this case, there is no need to create the constructor.

class Student{
int id;
String name;
Student(int i,String n){
id = i;
name = n;
}
Student(){}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1 = new Student(111,"Karan");
Student s2 = new Student();
s2.id=s1.id;
s2.name=s1.name;
s1.display();
s2.display();
}
}
Output:111 Karan
111 Karan

Que)Does constructor return any value?

Ans:yes,that is current class instance (You cannot use return type yet it returns a value).

Can constructor perform other tasks instead of initialization?

Yes, like object creation, starting a thread, calling method etc. You can perform any operation in the
constructor as you perform in the method.

The static keyword is used in java mainly for memory management. We may apply static keyword
with variables, methods, blocks and nested class. The static keyword belongs to the class than
instance of the class.
The static can be:
1.
2.
3.
4.

variable (also known as class variable)

method (also known as class method)
block
nested class

1) static variable
If you declare any variable as static, it is known static variable.
The static variable can be used to refer the common property of all objects (that is not
unique for each object) e.g. company name of employees,college name of students etc.
The static variable gets memory only once in class area at the time of class loading.

Advantage of static variable

It makes your program memory efficient (i.e it saves memory).

Understanding problem without static variable

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

class Student{
int rollno;
String name;
String college="ITS";
}
Suppose there are 500 students in my college, now all instance data members will get memory each
time when object is created.All student have its unique rollno and name so instance data member is
good.Here, college refers to the common property of all objects.If we make it static,this field will get
memory only once.

static property is shared to all objects.

Example of static variable

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.

//Program of static variable

class Student{
int rollno;
String name;
static String college ="ITS";
Student(int r,String n){
rollno = r;
name = n;
}
void display (){System.out.println(rollno+" "+name+" "+college);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1 = new Student (111,"Karan");
Student s2 = new Student (222,"Aryan");
s1.display();
s2.display();
}
}
Output:111 Karan ITS
222 Aryan ITS

Program of counter without static variable

In this example, we have created an instance variable named count which is incremented in the
constructor. Since instance variable gets the memory at the time of object creation, each object will
have the copy of the instance variable, if it is incremented, it won't reflect to other objects. So each
objects will have the value 1 in the count variable.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

class Counter{
int count=0;//will get memory when instance is created
Counter(){
count++;
System.out.println(count);
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Counter c1=new Counter();
Counter c2=new Counter();
Counter c3=new Counter();
}}
Output:1
1
1

Program of counter by static variable

As we have mentioned above, static variable will get the memory only once, if any object
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

changes the value of the static variable, it will retain its value.
class Counter{
static int count=0;//will get memory only once and retain its value
Counter(){
count++;
System.out.println(count);
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Counter c1=new Counter();
Counter c2=new Counter();
Counter c3=new Counter();

15.

}}
Output:1
2
3

2) static method
If you apply static keyword with any method, it is known as static method

A static method belongs to the class rather than object of a class.

A static method can be invoked without the need for creating an instance of a class.
static method can access static data member and can change the value of it.

Example of static method

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

//Program of changing the common property of all objects(static field).

class Student{
int rollno;
String name;
static String college = "ITS";
static void change(){
college = "BBDIT";
}
Student(int r, String n){
rollno = r;
name = n;
}
void display (){System.out.println(rollno+" "+name+" "+college);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student.change();
Student s1 = new Student (111,"Karan");
Student s2 = new Student (222,"Aryan");
Student s3 = new Student (333,"Sonoo");

s1.display();
s2.display();
s3.display();
}

Output:111 Karan BBDIT

222 Aryan BBDIT
333 Sonoo BBDIT

Another example of static method that performs

normal calculation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

//Program to get cube of a given number by static method

class Calculate{
static int cube(int x){
return x*x*x;
}

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

public static void main(String args[]){

int result=Calculate.cube(5);
System.out.println(result);
}
}
Output:125

Restrictions for static method

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

There are two main restrictions for the static method. They are:
1. The static method can not use non static data member or call non-static method directly.
2. this and super cannot be used in static context.
class A{
int a=40;//non static
public static void main(String args[]){
System.out.println(a);
}
}
Output:Compile Time Error

Que)why main method is static?

Ans) because object is not required to call static method if it were non-static method, jvm create
object first then call main() method that will lead the problem of extra memory allocation.

3)static block

Is used to initialize the static data member.

It is executed before main method at the time of classloading.

Example of static block

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

class A{
static{System.out.println("static block is invoked");}

public static void main(String args[]){

System.out.println("Hello main");
}

Output:static block is invoked

Hello main

Que)Can we execute a program without main() method?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Ans)Yes, one of the way is static block but in previous version of JDK not in JDK 1.7.
class A{
static{
System.out.println("static block is invoked");
System.exit(0);
}
}
Output:static block is invoked (if not JDK7)

this keyword

There can be a lot of usage of this keyword. In java, this is a reference variable that refers to
the current object.

Usage of this keyword

Here is given the 6 usage of this keyword.
1. this keyword can be used to refer current class instance variable.
2. this() can be used to invoke current class constructor.
3. this keyword can be used to invoke current class method (implicitly)
4. this can be passed as an argument in the method call.
5. this can be passed as argument in the constructor call.
6. this keyword can also be used to return the current class instance.
Suggestion:If you are beginner to java, lookup only two usage of this keyword.

1) The this keyword can be used to refer current class instance

variable.
If there is ambiguity between the instance variable and parameter, this keyword resolves the
problem of ambiguity.

Understanding the problem without this keyword

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

Let's understand the problem if we don't use this keyword by the example given below:
class student{
int id;
String name;
student(int id,String name){
id = id;
name = name;
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}
public static void main(String args[]){
student s1 = new student(111,"Karan");
student s2 = new student(321,"Aryan");
s1.display();
s2.display();
}
}
Output:0 null
0 null
In the above example, parameter (formal arguments) and instance variables are same that is
why we are using this keyword to distinguish between local variable and instance variable.

Solution of the above problem by this keyword

1.

//example of this keyword

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

class Student{
int id;
String name;

}
}

student(int id,String name){

this.id = id;
this.name = name;
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s1 = new Student(111,"Karan");
Student s2 = new Student(222,"Aryan");
s1.display();
s2.display();

Output111 Karan
222 Aryan

If local variables(formal arguments) and instance variables are different, there is no need to use
this keyword like in the following program:

Program where this keyword is not required

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

class Student{
int id;
String name;

}
}

student(int i,String n){

id = i;
name = n;
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student e1 = new Student(111,"karan");
Student e2 = new Student(222,"Aryan");
e1.display();
e2.display();

Output:111 Karan
222 Aryan

2) this() can be used to invoked current class constructor.

The this() constructor call can be used to invoke the current class constructor (constructor chaining).
This approach is better if you have many constructors in the class and want to reuse that
constructor.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.

//Program of this() constructor call (constructor chaining)

class Student{
int id;
String name;
Student (){System.out.println("default constructor is invoked");}
Student(int id,String name){
this ();//it is used to invoked current class constructor.
this.id = id;
this.name = name;
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student e1 = new Student(111,"karan");
Student e2 = new Student(222,"Aryan");
e1.display();
e2.display();
}
}
Output:
default constructor is invoked
default constructor is invoked
111 Karan
222 Aryan

Where to use this() constructor call?

The this() constructor call should be used to reuse the constructor in the constructor. It maintains
the chain between the constructors i.e. it is used for constructor chaining. Let's see the example
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

given below that displays the actual use of this keyword.

class Student{
int id;
String name;
String city;
Student(int id,String name){
this.id = id;
this.name = name;
}
Student(int id,String name,String city){
this(id,name);//now no need to initialize id and name
this.city=city;
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name+" "+city);}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student e1 = new Student(111,"karan");
Student e2 = new Student(222,"Aryan","delhi");
e1.display();

20.
21.
22.

e2.display();
}

Output:111 Karan null

222 Aryan delhi

Rule: Call to this() must be the first statement in constructor.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

class Student{
int id;
String name;
Student (){System.out.println("default constructor is invoked");}
Student(int id,String name){
id = id;
name = name;
this ();//must be the first statement
}
void display(){System.out.println(id+" "+name);}

public static void main(String args[]){

Student e1 = new Student(111,"karan");
Student e2 = new Student(222,"Aryan");
e1.display();
e2.display();
}

Output:Compile Time Error

3)The this keyword can be used to invoke current class method

(implicitly).
You may invoke the method of the current class by using the this keyword. If you don't use the
this keyword, compiler automatically adds this keyword while invoking the method. Let's see the
example

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

class S{
void m(){
System.out.println("method is invoked");
}
void n(){
this.m();//no need because compiler does it for you.
}
void p(){
n();//complier will add this to invoke n() method as this.n()
}

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

public static void main(String args[]){

S s1 = new S();
s1.p();
}

Output:method is invoked

4) this keyword can be passed as an argument in the method.

The this keyword can also be passed as an argument in the method. It is mainly used in the
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

event handling. Let's see the example:

class S{
void m(S obj){
System.out.println("method is invoked");
}
void p(){
m(this);
}

public static void main(String args[]){

S s1 = new S();
s1.p();
}

Output:method is invoked

Application of this that can be passed as an argument:

In event handling (or) in a situation where we have to provide reference of a class to another
one.

5) The this keyword can be passed as argument in the constructor

call.
We can pass the this keyword in the constructor also. It is useful if we have to use one object in
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

multiple classes. Let's see the example:

class B{
A obj;
B(A obj){
this.obj=obj;
}
void display(){
System.out.println(obj.data);//using data member of A class
}
}
class A{
int data=10;
A(){
B b=new B(this);
b.display();
}
public static void main(String args[]){
A a=new A();
}
}
Output:10

6) The this keyword can be used to return current class instance.

We can return the this keyword as an statement from the method. In such case, return type of
the method must be the class type (non-primitive). Let's see the example:

Syntax of this that can be returned as a statement

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

return_type method_name(){
return this;
}

Example of this keyword that you return as a

statement from the method
class A{
A getA(){
return this;
}
void msg(){System.out.println("Hello java");}
}
class Test{
public static void main(String args[]){
new A().getA().msg();
}
}
Output:Hello java

Proving this keyword

Let's prove that this keyword refers to the current class instance variable. In this program, we
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

are printing the reference variable and this, output of both variables are same.
class A{
void m(){
System.out.println(this);//prints same reference ID
}
public static void main(String args[]){
A obj=new A();
System.out.println(obj);//prints the reference ID
obj.m();
}
}
Output:A@13d9c02
A@13d9c02

Inheritance in Java
Inheritance is a mechanism in which one object acquires all the properties and behaviours of
parent object.

The idea behind inheritance is that you can create new classes that are built upon existing classes.
When you inherit from an existing class, you reuse (or inherit) methods and fields, and you add new
methods and fields to adapt your new class to new situations.
Inheritance represents the IS-A relationship.

Why use Inheritance?

1.
2.
3.
4.

For Method Overriding (So Runtime Polymorphism).

For Code Reusability.

Syntax of Inheritance

class Subclass-name extends Superclass-name

{
//methods and fields
}

The keyword extends indicates that you are making a new class that derives from an existing
class. In the terminology of Java, a class that is inherited is called a superclass. The new class is
called a subclass.

Understanding the simple example of inheritance

As displayed in the above figure, Programmer is the subclass and Employee is the superclass.
Relationship between two classes is Programmer IS-A Employee.It means that Programmer is a
type of Employee.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

class Employee{
float salary=40000;
}
class Programmer extends Employee{
int bonus=10000;
public static void main(String args[]){
Programmer p=new Programmer();
System.out.println("Programmer salary is:"+p.salary);
System.out.println("Bonus of Programmer is:"+p.bonus);
}
}
Output:Programmer salary is:40000.0
Bonus of programmer is:10000

In the above example,Programmer object can access the field of own class as well as of Employee
class i.e. code reusability.

Types of Inheritance
On the basis of class, there can be three types of inheritance: single, multilevel and hierarchical.
Multiple and Hybrid is supported through interface only. We will learn about interfaces later.

Multiple inheritance is not supported in java in case of class.

When a class extends multiple classes i.e. known as multiple inheritance. For Example:

Que) Why multiple inheritance is not supported in java?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

To reduce the complexity and simplify the language, multiple inheritance is not supported in
java. For example:
class A{
void msg(){System.out.println("Hello");}
}
class B{
void msg(){System.out.println("Welcome");}
}
class C extends A,B{//suppose if it were
Public Static void main(String args[]){
C obj=new C();
obj.msg();//Now which msg() method would be invoked?
}
}

Method Overriding in Java

If subclass (child class) has the same method as declared in the parent class, it is known as method
overriding.
In other words, If subclass provides the specific implementation of the method that has been
provided by one of its parent class, it is known as Method Overriding.

Advantage of Java Method Overriding

Method Overriding is used to provide specific implementation of a method that is already

provided by its super class.

Method Overriding is used for Runtime Polymorphism

Rules for Method Overriding

1. method must have same name as in the parent class
2. method must have same parameter as in the parent class.
3. must be IS-A relationship (inheritance).

Understanding the problem without method overriding

Let's understand the problem that we may face in the program if we don't use method overriding.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

class Vehicle{
void run(){System.out.println("Vehicle is running");}
}
class Bike extends Vehicle{

public static void main(String args[]){

Bike obj = new Bike();
obj.run();
}

Output:Vehicle is running
Problem is that I have to provide a specific implementation of run() method in subclass that is why
we use method overriding.

Example of method overriding

In this example, we have defined the run method in the subclass as defined in the parent class but it
has some specific implementation. The name and parameter of the method is same and there is ISA relationship between the classes, so there is method overriding.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

class Vehicle{
void run(){System.out.println("Vehicle is running");}
}
class Bike extends Vehicle{
void run(){System.out.println("Bike is running safely");}
public static void main(String args[]){

8.
9.
10.

Bike obj = new Bike();

obj.run();
}
Output:Bike is running safely

Real example of Java Method Overriding

Consider a scenario, Bank is a class that provides functionality to get rate of interest. But, rate of
interest varies according to banks. For example, SBI, ICICI and AXIS banks could provide 8%, 7%
and 9% rate of interest.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

class Bank{
int getRateOfInterest(){return 0;}
}
class SBI extends Bank{
int getRateOfInterest(){return 8;}
}
class ICICI extends Bank{
int getRateOfInterest(){return 7;}
}
class AXIS extends Bank{
int getRateOfInterest(){return 9;}
}
class Test{
public static void main(String args[]){
SBI s=new SBI();
ICICI i=new ICICI();
AXIS a=new AXIS();
System.out.println("SBI Rate of Interest: "+s.getRateOfInterest());
System.out.println("ICICI Rate of Interest: "+i.getRateOfInterest());
System.out.println("AXIS Rate of Interest: "+a.getRateOfInterest());
}
}
Output:
SBI Rate of Interest: 8
ICICI Rate of Interest: 7
AXIS Rate of Interest: 9

Can we override static method?

No, static method cannot be overridden. It can be proved by runtime polymorphism so we will
learn it later.

Why we cannot override static method?

because static method is bound with class whereas instance method is bound with object. Static
belongs to class area and instance belongs to heap area.

Can we override java main method?

No, because main is a static method.

What is the difference between method Overloading and Method Overriding?

There are three basic differences between the method overloading and method overriding. They are
as follows:
Method Overloading

Method Overriding

1) Method overloading is used to

Method overriding is used to provide the specific

increase the readability of the

implementation of the method that is already provided by its

program.

super class.

2) method overloading is performed

Method overriding occurs in two classes that have IS-A

within a class.

relationship.

3) In case of method overloading

In case of method overriding parameter must be same.

parameter must be different.

super keyword
The super is a reference variable that is used to refer immediate parent class object.
Whenever you create the instance of subclass, an instance of parent class is created implicitly i.e.
referred by super reference variable.

Usage of super Keyword

1. super is used to refer immediate parent class instance variable.
2. super() is used to invoke immediate parent class constructor.
3. super is used to invoke immediate parent class method.

1) super is used to refer immediate parent class instance variable.

Problem without super keyword

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

class Vehicle{
int speed=50;
}
class Bike extends Vehicle{
int speed=100;
void display(){
System.out.println(speed);//will print speed of Bike
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike b=new Bike();
b.display();
}
}
Output:100
In the above example Vehicle and Bike both class have a common property speed. Instance
variable of current class is refered by instance bydefault, but I have to refer parent class instance
variable that is why we use super keyword to distinguish between parent class instance variable
and current class instance variable.
Solution by super keyword

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

//example of super keyword

class Vehicle{
int speed=50;
}
class Bike extends Vehicle{
int speed=100;
void display(){
System.out.println(super.speed);//will print speed of Vehicle now
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike b=new Bike();
b.display();
}
}
Output:50

2) super is used to invoke parent class constructor.

The super keyword can also be used to invoke the parent class constructor as given below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

class Vehicle{
Vehicle(){System.out.println("Vehicle is created");}
}
class Bike extends Vehicle{
Bike(){
super();//will invoke parent class constructor
System.out.println("Bike is created");
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike b=new Bike();

12.
13.
14.

}
}
Output:Vehicle is created
Bike is created

super() is added in each class constructor automatically by compiler.

As we know well that default constructor is provided by compiler automatically but it also adds
super() for the first statement.If you are creating your own constructor and you don't have either
this() or super() as the first statement, compiler will provide super() as the first statement of the
constructor.

Another example of super keyword where super() is provided by the compiler implicitly.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

class Vehicle{
Vehicle(){System.out.println("Vehicle is created");}
}
class Bike extends Vehicle{
int speed;
Bike(int speed){
this.speed=speed;
System.out.println(speed);
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike b=new Bike(10);
}
}
Output:Vehicle is created
10

3) super can be used to invoke parent class method.

The super keyword can also be used to invoke parent class method. It should be used in case
subclass contains the same method as parent class as in the example given below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

class Person{
void message(){System.out.println("welcome");}
}
class Student extends Person{
void message(){System.out.println("welcome to java");}

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

void display(){
message();//will invoke current class message() method
super.message();//will invoke parent class message() method
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s=new Student();
s.display();
}
}
Output:welcome to java
welcome
In the above example Student and Person both classes have message() method if we call
message() method from Student class, it will call the message() method of Student class not of
Person class because priority is given to local.

In case there is no method in subclass as parent, there is no need to use super. In the example
given below message() method is invoked from Student class but Student class does not have
message() method, so you can directly call message() method.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Program in case super is not required

class Person{
void message(){System.out.println("welcome");}
}
class Student extends Person{
void display(){
message();//will invoke parent class message() method
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Student s=new Student();
s.display();
}
}

Output: welcome

Final Keyword In Java

The final keyword in java is used to restrict the user. The final keyword can be used in many
context. Final can be:
1. variable
2. method
3. class

The final keyword can be applied with the variables, a final variable that have no value it is called
blank final variable or uninitialized final variable. It can be initialized in the constructor only. The
blank final variable can be static also which will be initialized in the static block only. We will have
detailed learning of these. Let's first learn the basics of final keyword.

1) final variable
If you make any variable as final, you cannot change the value of final variable(It will be constant).

Example of final variable

There is a final variable speedlimit, we are going to change the value of this variable, but It can't be
changed because final variable once assigned a value can never be changed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

class Bike{
final int speedlimit=90;//final variable
void run(){
speedlimit=400;
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike obj=new Bike();
obj.run();
}
}//end of class
Output:Compile Time Error

2) final method
If you make any method as final, you cannot override it.

Example of final method

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

class Bike{
final void run(){System.out.println("running");}
}
class Honda extends Bike{
void run(){System.out.println("running safely with 100kmph");}
public static void main(String args[]){
Honda honda= new Honda();
honda.run();
}
}
Output:Compile Time Error

3) final class
If you make any class as final, you cannot extend it.

Example of final class

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

final class Bike{}

class Honda extends Bike{
void run(){System.out.println("running safely with 100kmph");}

public static void main(String args[]){

Honda honda= new Honda();
honda.run();
}

Output:Compile Time Error

Q) Is final method inherited?

Ans) Yes, final method is inherited but you cannot override it. For Example:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

class Bike{
final void run(){System.out.println("running...");}
}
class Honda extends Bike{
public static void main(String args[]){
new Honda().run();
}
}
Output:running...

Q) What is blank or uninitialized final variable?

A final variable that is not initialized at the time of declaration is known as blank final variable.
If you want to create a variable that is initialized at the time of creating object and once initialized
may not be changed, it is useful. For example PAN CARD number of an employee.
It can be initialized only in constructor.

Example of blank final variable

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

class Student{
int id;
String name;
final String PAN_CARD_NUMBER;
...
}

Que) Can we initialize blank final variable?

Yes, but only in constructor. For example:
1.
2.
3.

class Bike{
final int speedlimit;//blank final variable

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Bike(){
speedlimit=70;
System.out.println(speedlimit);
}
public static void main(String args[]){
new Bike();
}
}
Output:70

static blank final variable

A static final variable that is not initialized at the time of declaration is known as static blank final
variable. It can be initialized only in static block.

Example of static blank final variable

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

class A{
static final int data;//static blank final variable
static{ data=50;}
public static void main(String args[]){
System.out.println(A.data);
}
}

Q) What is final parameter?

If you declare any parameter as final, you cannot change the value of it.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

class Bike{
int cube(final int n){
n=n+2;//can't be changed as n is final
n*n*n;
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike b=new Bike();
b.cube(5);
}
}
Output:Compile Time Error

Q) Can we declare a constructor final?

No, because constructor is never inherited.

Runtime Polymorphism in Java

Runtime polymorphism or Dynamic Method Dispatchis a process in which a call to an
overridden method is resolved at runtime rather than compile-time.
In this process, an overridden method is called through the reference variable of a superclass. The
determination of the method to be called is based on the object being referred to by the reference
variable.

Let's first understand the upcasting before Runtime Polymorphism.

Upcasting
When reference variable of Parent class refers to the object of Child class, it is known as upcasting.
For example:

1.
2.
1.

class A{}
class B extends A{}
A a=new B();//upcasting

Example of Runtime Polymorphism

In this example, we are creating two classes Bike and Splendar. Splendar class extends Bike class
and overrides its run() method. We are calling the run method by the reference variable of Parent
class. Since it refers to the subclass object and subclass method overrides the Parent class method,
subclass method is invoked at runtime.
Since method invocation is determined by the JVM not compiler, it is known as runtime
polymorphism.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

class Bike{
void run(){System.out.println("running");}
}
class Splender extends Bike{
void run(){System.out.println("running safely with 60km");}

public static void main(String args[]){

Bike b = new Splender();//upcasting
b.run();
}

Output:running safely with 60km.

Real example of Java Runtime Polymorphism

Consider a scenario, Bank is a class that provides method to get the rate of interest. But, rate of
interest may differ according to banks. For example, SBI, ICICI and AXIS banks could provide 8%,
7% and 9% rate of interest.

Note: It is also given in method overriding but there was no upcasting.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

class Bank{
int getRateOfInterest(){return 0;}
}
class SBI extends Bank{
int getRateOfInterest(){return 8;}
}
class ICICI extends Bank{
int getRateOfInterest(){return 7;}
}
class AXIS extends Bank{
int getRateOfInterest(){return 9;}
}
class Test{
public static void main(String args[]){
Bank b1=new SBI();
Bank b2=new ICICI();
Bank b3=new AXIS();
System.out.println("SBI Rate of Interest: "+b1.getRateOfInterest());
System.out.println("ICICI Rate of Interest: "+b2.getRateOfInterest());
System.out.println("AXIS Rate of Interest: "+b3.getRateOfInterest());
}
}
Output:
SBI Rate of Interest: 8
ICICI Rate of Interest: 7
AXIS Rate of Interest: 9

Runtime Polymorphism with data member

Method is overridden not the datamembers, so runtime polymorphism can't be achieved by data
members.
In the example given below, both the classes have a datamember speedlimit, we are accessing
the datamember by the reference variable of Parent class which refers to the subclass object.
Since we are accessing the datamember which is not overridden, hence it will access the
datamember of Parent class always.

Rule: Runtime polymorphism can't be achieved by data members.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

class Bike{
int speedlimit=90;
}
class Honda extends Bike{
int speedlimit=150;
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike obj=new Honda();
System.out.println(obj.speedlimit);//90
}

Output:90

Runtime Polymorphism with Multilevel Inheritance

Let's see the simple example of Runtime Polymorphism with multilevel inheritance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

class Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("eating");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("eating fruits");}
}
class BabyDog extends Dog{
void eat(){System.out.println("drinking milk");}
public static void main(String args[]){
Animal a1,a2,a3;
a1=new Animal();
a2=new Dog();
a3=new BabyDog();
a1.eat();
a2.eat();
a3.eat();
}
}
Output: eating
eating fruits
drinking Milk

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Try for Output

class Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("animal is eating...");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("dog is eating...");}
}
class BabyDog extends Dog{
public static void main(String args[]){
Animal a=new BabyDog();
a.eat();
}}

Output: Dog is eating

Since, BabyDog is not overriding the eat() method, so eat() method of Dog class is invoked.