Java - Anonymous Classes
Java Anonymous Class
An anonymous class in Java is an inner class which is declared without any class name at all. In
other words, a nameless inner class in Java is called an anonymous inner class. Since it does not
have a name, it cannot have a constructor because we know that a constructor name is the same as
the class name.
Use of Java Anonymous Inner Classes
Anonymous inner classes are used when you want to create a simple class that is needed for one
time only for a specific purpose. For example, implementing an interface or extending a class.
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Defining Anonymous Class in Java
You can define an anonymous inner class and create its object using the new operator at the same
time in one step.
Syntax
The syntax of anonymous nested class is as follows −
new(argument-list){
// Anonymous class body
}
Types of Anonymous Inner Classes in Java
Anonymous inner class that extends a class
Anonymous inner class that implements an interface
Anonymous inner class as an argument
1. Anonymous inner class that extends a class
You can use an anonymous inner class to extend a class in Java.
Example: Anonymous inner class that extends a class
In the following example,we're using a new keyword to create an object of the anonymous inner
class that has a reference of parent class type.
Open Compiler
package com.tutorialspoint;
class Car {
public void engineType() {
System.out.println("Turbo Engine");
}
}
public class Tester {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Car c1 = new Car();
c1.engineType();
Car c2 = new Car() {
@Override
public void engineType() {
System.out.println("V2 Engine");
}
};
c2.engineType();
}
}
Output
If you compile and execute the above program, you will get the following result −
Turbo Engine
V2 Engine
2. Anonymous inner class that implements an interface
You can use an anonymous inner class to implement an interface in Java.
Example: Anonymous inner class that implements an interface
In the following example,we're using a new keyword to create an object of the anonymous inner
class that has a reference of an interface type.
Open Compiler
package com.tutorialspoint;
interface Software {
public void develop();
}
public class Tester {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Software s = new Software() {
@Override
public void develop() {
System.out.println("Software Developed in Java");
}
};
s.develop();
System.out.println(s.getClass().getName());
}
}
Output
If you compile and execute the above program, you will get the following result −
Software Developed in Java
com.tutorialspoint.Tester$1
3. Anonymous inner class as an argument
We can use the anonymous inner class as an argument so that it can be passed to methods or
constructors.
Example: Anonymous inner class as an argument
In the following example,we're passing an anonymous inner class as an argument to one method.
Open Compiler
package com.tutorialspoint;
abstract class Engine {
public abstract void engineType();
}
class Vehicle {
public void transport(Engine e) {
e.engineType();
}
}
public class Tester {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Vehicle v = new Vehicle();
v.transport(new Engine() {
@Override
public void engineType() {
System.out.println("Turbo Engine");
}
});
}
}
Output
If you compile and execute the above program, you will get the following result −
Turbo Engine
