JAVA PROGRAMMING

Inheritance

Inheritance in Java is a mechanism in which one object acquires all the properties
and behaviors of a parent object. It is an important part of OOPs (Object Oriented
programming system).The idea behind inheritance in Java is that you can create
new classes that are built upon existing classes. When you inherit from an existing
class, you can reuse methods and fields of the parent class. Moreover, you can add
new methods and fields in your current class also.

Inheritance represents the IS-A relationship which is also known as a parent-

child relationship.

Why use inheritance in java

o For Method Overriding (so runtime polymorphism can be achieved).

o For Code Reusability.

Terms used in Inheritance

o Class: A class is a group of objects which have common properties. It is a

template or blueprint from which objects are created.
o Sub Class/Child Class: Subclass is a class which inherits the other class. It is
also called a derived class, extended class, or child class.
o Super Class/Parent Class: Superclass is the class from where a subclass
inherits the features. It is also called a base class or a parent class.
o Reusability: As the name specifies, reusability is a mechanism which
facilitates you to reuse the fields and methods of the existing class when you
create a new class. You can use the same fields and methods already defined
in the previous class.

The syntax of Java Inheritance

class Subclass-name extends Superclass-name

{
//methods and fields
}

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The extends keyword indicates that you are making a new class that derives from
an existing class. The meaning of "extends" is to increase the functionality.

In the terminology of Java, a class which is inherited is called a parent or superclass,

and the new class is called child or subclass.

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);
} }
Types of inheritance in java

On the basis of class, there can be three types of inheritance in java: single,
multilevel and hierarchical.

In java programming, multiple and hybrid inheritance is supported through

interface only.

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Note: Multiple inheritance is not supported in Java through class.

Single Inheritance Example

class Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("eating...");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void bark(){System.out.println("barking...");}
}
class TestInheritance{
public static void main(String args[]){
Dog d=new Dog();
d.bark();
d.eat();
}}

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Output:

barking...
eating...
Multilevel Inheritance Example

class Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("eating...");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void bark(){System.out.println("barking...");}
}
class BabyDog extends Dog{
void weep(){System.out.println("weeping...");}
}
class TestInheritance2{
public static void main(String args[]){
BabyDog d=new BabyDog();
d.weep();
d.bark();
d.eat();
}}

Output:

weeping...
barking...
eating...

Hierarchical Inheritance Example

class Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("eating...");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void bark(){System.out.println("barking...");}
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}
class Cat extends Animal{
void meow(){System.out.println("meowing...");}
}
class TestInheritance3{
public static void main(String args[]){
Cat c=new Cat();
c.meow();
c.eat();
//c.bark();//C.T.Error
}}

Output:

meowing...
eating...

Why multiple inheritance is not supported in java?

To reduce the complexity and simplify the language, multiple inheritance is not
supported in java.

Consider a scenario where A, B, and C are three classes. The C class inherits A and
B classes. If A and B classes have the same method and you call it from child class
object, there will be ambiguity to call the method of A or B class.

Since compile-time errors are better than runtime errors, Java renders compile-
time error if you inherit 2 classes. So whether you have same method or different,
there will be compile time error.

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

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public static void main(String args[]){

C obj=new C();
obj.msg();//Now which msg() method would be invoked?
} }

Compile Time Error

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 Java.

In other words, If a subclass provides the specific implementation of the method

that has been declared by one of its parent class, it is known as method overriding.

Usage of Java Method Overriding

o Method overriding is used to provide the specific implementation of a

method which is already provided by its superclass.
o Method overriding is used for runtime polymorphism

Rules for Java Method Overriding

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

class Vehicle{
void run(){System.out.println("Vehicle is running");}
}
class Bike2 extends Vehicle{
void run(){System.out.println("Bike is running safely");}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike2 obj = new Bike2();//creating object
obj.run();//calling method
}
}

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Test it Now

Output:

Bike is running safely

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 Test2{
public static void main(String args[]){
SBI s=new SBI();

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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, a static method cannot be overridden. It can be proved by runtime

polymorphism.

Why can we not override static method?

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

Can we override java main method?

No, because the main is a static method.

Difference between method Overloading and Method Overriding

Method Overloading
Method overloading is used to increase the readability of the program.
Method overloading is performed within class.
In case of method overloading, parameter must be different.
Method overloading is the example of compile time polymorphism.

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In java, method overloading can't be performed by changing return type of the

method only. Return type can be same or different in method overloading. But you
must have to change the parameter.
Method Overriding

Method overriding is used to provide the specific implementation of the method

that is already provided by its super class.

Method overriding occurs in two classes that have IS-A (inheritance) relationship.

In case of method overriding, parameter must be same.

Method overriding is the example of run time polymorphism.

Return type must be same or covariant in method overriding.

Super Keyword in Java

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

Usage of Java super Keyword

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

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

We can use super keyword to access the data member or field of parent class. It is
used if parent class and child class have same fields.

class Animal{
String color="white";
}
class Dog extends Animal{
String color="black";
void printColor(){

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System.out.println(color);//prints color of Dog class

System.out.println(super.color);//prints color of Animal class
}
}
class TestSuper1{
public static void main(String args[]){
Dog d=new Dog();
d.printColor();
}}

Output:

black
white

In the above example, Animal and Dog both classes have a common property color.
If we print color property, it will print the color of current class by default. To access
the parent property, we need to use super keyword.

2) 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 if subclass contains the same method as parent class. In other words, it is used
if method is overridden.

class Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("eating...");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void eat(){System.out.println("eating bread...");}
void bark(){System.out.println("barking...");}
void work(){
super.eat();
bark();
}
}
class TestSuper2{

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public static void main(String args[]){

Dog d=new Dog();
d.work();
}}

Output:

eating...
barking...

In the above example Animal and Dog both classes have eat() method if we call
eat() method from Dog class, it will call the eat() method of Dog class by default
because priority is given to local.

To call the parent class method, we need to use super keyword.

3) super is used to invoke parent class constructor.

The super keyword can also be used to invoke the parent class constructor.

class Animal{
Animal(){System.out.println("animal is created");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
Dog(){
super();
System.out.println("dog is created");
}
}
class TestSuper3{
public static void main(String args[]){
Dog d=new Dog();
}}

Output:

animal is created

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dog is created

Note: super() is added in each class constructor automatically by compiler if there

is no super() or this().

Final Keyword In JAVA

The final keyword in java is used to restrict the user. The java final keyword can be
used in many context. Final can be:

1. variable
2. method
3. class

1) Java final variable

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

class Bike9{
final int speedlimit=90;//final variable
void run(){
speedlimit=400;
}
public static void main(String args[]){
Bike9 obj=new Bike9();
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obj.run();
} }

Output:Compile Time Error

2) Java final method

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

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) Java final class

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

final class Bike{}

class Honda1 extends Bike{
void run(){System.out.println("running safely with 100kmph");}
public static void main(String args[]){
Honda1 honda= new Honda1();
honda.run();
} }

Output:Compile Time Error

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Is final method inherited?

Yes, final method is inherited but you cannot override it. For Example:

class Bike{
final void run(){System.out.println("running...");}
}
class Honda2 extends Bike{
public static void main(String args[]){
new Honda2().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.

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

Can we initialize blank final variable?

Yes, but only in constructor.

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class Bike10{
final int speedlimit;//blank final variable
Bike10(){
speedlimit=70;
System.out.println(speedlimit);
}
public static void main(String args[]){
new Bike10();
} }
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.

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

What is final parameter

If you declare any parameter as final, you cannot change the value of it.

class Bike11{
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[]){
Bike11 b=new Bike11();
b.cube(5);
} }

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Output: Compile Time Error

Can we declare a constructor final

No, because constructor is never inherited.

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