This, super and Final

Module-2

Professor & Technical Trainer / CSE

Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS
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‘this’ keyword
 ‘this’ is a reference variable that refers to the current object.

 Can access any instance variable and method by using this keyword.

 The main purpose is to solve the confusion when we have same variable name for instance and
local variables.

 By using ‘this’ keyword, we can call the attributes, methods and constructors of the current class.

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 2
‘this’ keyword
Calling instance variable

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 3
‘this’ keyword
Calling a constructor Calling a method
class Demo class Demo
{ {
Demo () public void getName()
{ {
// Calling constructor System.out.println(“I am a method”);
this(“I am a constructor”); }
} public void display()
Demo(String str){ {
System.out.println(str); this.getName(); // Calling a method
} }
public static void main(String[] args) { public static void main(String[] args) {
Demo d = new Demo(); Demo d = new Demo();
} d.display();
} }
}

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 4
‘this’ keyword
Note:

 The scope of "this" keyword is within the class.

 The main purpose of using "this" keyword in real life application is to differentiate variable of
class or formal parameters of methods or constructor

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 5
‘super’ keyword
 ‘super’ Keyword is a reference variable that is used in inheritance to refer to the immediate
parent class object from the child class.

Uses
 To access the parent class variable

 To invoke the parent class method

 To invoke the parent class constructors with and without argument.

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 6
‘super’ keyword
Calling Variable Calling method
class Employee { class Employee {
String role = "Software Engineer"; String role = "Software Engineer";
} public void displayRole() {
public class Developer extends Employee { System.out.println("Employee Role: " + role);
String role = "Developer"; }
public void displayRole() { }
System.out.println(role); public class Developer extends Employee {
System.out.println(super.role); String role = "Developer";
} public void displayRole() {
public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println(role);
Developer d = new Developer(); super.displayRole();
d.displayRole(); } }
} public static void main(String[] args) {
Developer d = new Developer();
d.displayRole();
}
}
Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 7
‘super’ keyword
Calling constructor

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 8
‘super’ keyword
Calling Parameterized constructor
class Shapes {
Shapes() {
System.out.println("This is a shape");
}
Shapes(String name) {
System.out.println("Shape name is: " + name);
}
}
public class Square extends Shapes {
Square() {
super("Square"); // calls base class parameterized constructor
System.out.println("Square constructor");
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
Square s = new Square();
}
}
Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 9
‘final’ keyword
 It is used to make a variable as a constant, restrict method overriding and restrict inheritance.

 In java language final keyword can be used in following way

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 10
‘final’ variable
 Final keyword is used to make a variable as a constant.

 A variable declared with the final keyword cannot be modified by the program after initialization

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 11
‘final’ method
 It makes a method final, meaning that sub classes can not override this method.

 The compiler checks and gives an error if you try to override the method.

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 12
‘final’ class
 It makes a class final, meaning that the class can not be inheriting by other classes.

 When we want to restrict inheritance then make class as a final.

Dr.M.Sivakumar SIMATS 13