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Java_Abstract_vs_Interface_Summary

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Nithin Kudupudi
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2 views

Java_Abstract_vs_Interface_Summary

Uploaded by

Nithin Kudupudi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Java: Abstract Classes, Interfaces, and Related Concepts

=========================================================

1. Abstract Class Basics


------------------------
- An abstract class cannot be instantiated directly.
- It can contain:
- Abstract methods (without body)
- Concrete methods (with body)
- Constructors
- Instance variables and static variables
- Used when:
- You want to share common code among subclasses.
- The class has state (fields) to be inherited.
- You need non-static or non-public methods.

Example:
abstract class Animal {
String name;
Animal(String name) {
this.name = name;
}
abstract void sound();
void eat() {
System.out.println("Eating...");
}
}

2. Constructors in Abstract Classes


-----------------------------------
- Abstract classes can have constructors.
- These constructors are called when subclass objects are created.

Example:
abstract class Animal {
Animal() {
System.out.println("Animal constructor");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
Dog() {
System.out.println("Dog constructor");
}
}

3. Anonymous Inner Classes


--------------------------
- Anonymous class: unnamed class created for one-time use.
- Commonly used to extend abstract classes or implement interfaces on the spot.

Example:
Animal a = new Animal() {
void sound() {
System.out.println("Bark from anonymous class");
}
};

4. Interface vs Abstract Class


------------------------------
| Feature | Abstract Class | Interface
|
|--------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------
--------------------|
| Method types | Abstract + Concrete | Abstract,
default, static (Java 8+) |
| Constructors | Allowed | Not allowed
|
| Fields | Instance, static, final | public static
final (constants) |
| Access modifiers | Any | Only public
(methods are public) |
| Inheritance | Single | Multiple
|
| Use case | Code reuse, base class | Capability
declaration |

5. Java 8+ Interface Enhancements


---------------------------------
- Interfaces can have:
- `default` methods (with body)
- `static` methods
- `private` methods (Java 9+)
- Purpose: backward compatibility without breaking existing implementations.

6. Default Method vs Abstract Class Method


------------------------------------------
| Aspect | Default Method (Interface) | Method in
Abstract Class |
|----------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------
-------------------|
| Can access instance fields | No | Yes
|
| Constructors | No | Yes
|
| Access modifiers | Only public | public,
protected, private allowed |

7. Fields in Interface
----------------------
- Allowed but treated as:
- public
- static
- final

Example:
interface Config {
int TIMEOUT = 5000; // implicit public static final
}

8. Multiple Inheritance with Interface


--------------------------------------
class MyClass implements InterfaceA, InterfaceB {
// Implement all methods
}

9. Method Conflict Resolution


-----------------------------
interface A { default void show() { } }
interface B { default void show() { } }

class C implements A, B {
public void show() {
A.super.show(); // or B.super.show()
}
}

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