Java Method Overriding Explained
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In the previous chapter, we talked about superclasses and
subclasses. If a class inherits a method from its superclass,
then there is a chance to override the method provided that
it is not marked final.
Benefit of Overriding in Java
The benefit of overriding is: ability to define a behavior
that's specific to the subclass type, which means a subclass
can implement a parent class method based on its
requirement.
In object-oriented terms, overriding means to override the
functionality of an existing method.
Java Method Overriding
Method overriding allows us to achieve run-
time polymorphism and is used for writing specific
definitions of a subclass method that is already defined in
the superclass.
The method is superclass and overridden method in the
subclass should have the same declaration signature such as
parameters list, type, and return type.
Usage of Java Method Overriding
Following are the two important usages of method overriding
in Java:
Method overriding is used for achieving run-time
polymorphism.
Method overriding is used for writing specific definition
of a subclass method (this method is known as the
overridden method).
Example of Method Overriding in Java
Let us look at an example.
class Animal {
public void move() {
[Link]("Animals can move");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
public void move() {
[Link]("Dogs can walk and run");
}
}
public class TestDog {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Animal a = new Animal(); // Animal reference and object
Animal b = new Dog(); // Animal reference but Dog
object
[Link](); // runs the method in Animal class
[Link](); // runs the method in Dog class
}
}
Output
Animals can move
Dogs can walk and run
In the above example, you can see that even though b is a
type of Animal it runs the move method in the Dog class. The
reason for this is: In compile time, the check is made on the
reference type. However, in the runtime, JVM figures out the
object type and would run the method that belongs to that
particular object.
Therefore, in the above example, the program will compile
properly since Animal class has the method move. Then, at
the runtime, it runs the method specific for that object.
Consider the following example −
Example
class Animal {
public void move() {
[Link]("Animals can move");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
public void move() {
[Link]("Dogs can walk and run");
}
public void bark() {
[Link]("Dogs can bark");
}
}
public class TestDog {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Animal a = new Animal(); // Animal reference and object
Animal b = new Dog(); // Animal reference but Dog
object
[Link](); // runs the method in Animal class
[Link](); // runs the method in Dog class
[Link]();
}
}
Output
[Link]: error: cannot find symbol
[Link]();
^
symbol: method bark()
location: variable b of type Animal
1 error
This program will throw a compile time error since b's
reference type Animal doesn't have a method by the name of
bark.
Rules for Method Overriding
The argument list should be exactly the same as that of
the overridden method.
The return type should be the same or a subtype of the
return type declared in the original overridden method
in the superclass.
The access level cannot be more restrictive than the
overridden method's access level. For example: If the
superclass method is declared public then the
overridding method in the sub class cannot be either
private or protected.
Instance methods can be overridden only if they are
inherited by the subclass.
A method declared final cannot be overridden.
A method declared static cannot be overridden but can
be re-declared.
If a method cannot be inherited, then it cannot be
overridden.
A subclass within the same package as the instance's
superclass can override any superclass method that is
not declared private or final.
A subclass in a different package can only override the
non-final methods declared public or protected.
An overriding method can throw any uncheck
exceptions, regardless of whether the overridden
method throws exceptions or not. However, the
overriding method should not throw checked exceptions
that are new or broader than the ones declared by the
overridden method. The overriding method can throw
narrower or fewer exceptions than the overridden
method.
Constructors cannot be overridden.
Java Method and Constructor Overriding
In Java, each class has a different name and the constructor's
name is the same as the class name. Thus, we cannot
override a constructor as they cannot have the same name.
Java Method Overriding: Using the super Keyword
When invoking a superclass version of an overridden method
the super keyword is used.
Example: Using the super Keyword
class Animal {
public void move() {
[Link]("Animals can move");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
public void move() {
[Link](); // invokes the super class method
[Link]("Dogs can walk and run");
}
}
public class TestDog {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Animal b = new Dog(); // Animal reference but Dog
object
[Link](); // runs the method in Dog class
}
}
Output
Animals can move
Dogs can walk and run