how to use abstract class in java code example
Example 1: abstract class in java
Sometimes we may come across a situation where we cannot provide
implementation to all the methods in a class. We want to leave the
implementation to a class that extends it. In such case we declare a class
as abstract.To make a class abstract we use key word abstract.
Any class that contains one or more abstract methods is declared as abstract.
If we don’t declare class as abstract which contains abstract methods we get
compile time error.
1)Abstract classes cannot be instantiated
2)An abstarct classes contains abstract method, concrete methods or both.
3)Any class which extends abstarct class must override all methods of abstract
class
4)An abstarct class can contain either 0 or more abstract method.
Example 2: What are abstract methods in java
An abstract method is the method which does’nt have any body.
Abstract method is declared with
keyword abstract and semicolon in place of method body.
public abstract void <method name>();
Ex : public abstract void getDetails();
It is the responsibility of subclass to provide implementation to
abstract method defined in abstract class
Example 3: is it necessary for abstract class to have abstract method
No, abstract class can have zero abstract methods.
Example 4: how to make abstract method in java
public abstract class Account { //abstract class //perent class
protected int accountNumber;
protected Customer customerObj;
protected double balance;
//constructor
public Account(int saccountNumber, Customer scustomerObj,double sbalance){
accountNumber = saccountNumber;
customerObj = scustomerObj;
balance = sbalance;
}
// abstract Function
public abstract boolean withdraw(double amount);
}
public class SavingsAccount extends Account { // child class
private double minimumBalance;
// constructor
public SavingsAccount(int saccountNumber, Customer scustomerObj, double sbalance, double sminimumBalance) {
super(saccountNumber, scustomerObj, sbalance);
minimumBalance = sminimumBalance;
}
// Implementation of abstract function in child class
public boolean withdraw(double amount) {
if (balance() > minimumBalance && balance() - amount > minimumBalance) {
super.setBalance(balance() - amount);
return true;
} else {
return false;
}
}
}
Example 5: java abstract class
// abstract class
abstract class Shape
{
// abstract method
abstract void sides();
}
class Triangle extends Shape
{
void sides()
{
System.out.println("Triangle shape has three sides.");
}
}
class Pentagon extends Shape
{
void sides()
{
System.out.println("Pentagon shape has five sides.");
}
public static void main(String[] args)
{
Triangle obj1 = new Triangle();
obj1.sides();
Pentagon obj2 = new Pentagon();
obj2.sides();
}
}
Example 6: when we should use abstract class
When to use an abstract class
An abstract class is a good choice if we are using the inheritance concept since it provides a common base class implementation to derived classes.
An abstract class is also good if we want to declare non-public members. In an interface, all methods must be public.
If we want to add new methods in the future, then an abstract class is a better choice. Because if we add new methods to an interface, then all of the classes that already implemented that interface will have to be changed to implement the new methods.
If we want to create multiple versions of our component, create an abstract class. Abstract classes provide a simple and easy way to version our components. By updating the base class, all inheriting classes are automatically updated with the change. Interfaces, on the other hand, cannot be changed once created. If a new version of an interface is required, we must create a whole new interface.
Abstract classes have the advantage of allowing better forward compatibility. Once clients use an interface, we cannot change it; if they use an abstract class, we can still add behavior without breaking the existing code.
If we want to provide common, implemented functionality among all implementations of our component, use an abstract class. Abstract classes allow us to partially implement our class, whereas interfaces contain no implementation for any members.