Java abstract class implements an interface, both have the same method

Question

While looking at some OOP materials, I thought of this question which confused me a little bit:

Consider having the following interface,abstract class, and a concrete class:

package one;

public interface A {

    void doStuff();
}

package one;


public abstract class B implements A {

    public abstract void doStuff();


}

class C extends B{


    public void doStuff() {

    }
 }

Class C won't compile unless it provides an implementation for method doStuff(). The question here:

1-Is doStuff() method in class C an implementation to the interface A's method, or it is for the abstract method in class B ? to be more specific: How will the JVM treat the function, as an invoked function of the interface or the abstract class ?

2-Is the abstract method doStuff() in abstract class B considered to be an "implementation" for the doStuff() method in interface A? so that makes it mandatory for class C to implement the abstract class's version of doStuff() instead of the interface's ?

Nathan Hughes · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-04 13:42:25Z

4

For Question #1: The doStuff method in class C is the implementation of the doStuff method declaration to both B and C. because the doStuff method declaration in abstract class B and interface A has the same signature as each other. Actually, if B implements C, there is no need to declare doStuff method again.

For Question #2: No, the doStuff in B is just a declaration, not a method implementation. if B has no method implementation or additional method declaration, it is needless of class B. Basically, the abstract class is a kind of template containing high-level logic for the convenience of its subclasses.

edited Mar 4, 2013 at 13:42

Nathan Hughes

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answered Mar 4, 2013 at 13:33

Henry Leu

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2 Comments

a.u.r Over a year ago

So, what would it look like for the JVM when it invokes the function? will it invoke it as a function of the interface or as a function of the abstract class ?

jiashie Over a year ago

what if class B without implements A，but has it's own abstract doStuff() method ? in class C, the doStuff is the implements of A, or B ？

Powerlord · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-21 18:21:06Z

1

In an interface, all methods are public and abstract.

Knowing this, interface A's doStuff is actually public abstract void doStuff(). Which should look familiar, as Abstract Class B has the same method signature.

To answer question 1, class B's doStuff() is the same as interface A's doStuff(). Since all methods in Java are virtual, calling doStuff() will be the same regardless of if your C is declared as an A, a B, or a C.

As for question 2, no. B's doStuff() is redundant code that doesn't actually do anything. C is implementing A's doStuff() whether or not B declares doStuff().

answered Mar 21, 2013 at 18:21

Powerlord

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Comments

Mikhail · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-04 14:17:24Z

1

For instance of class B, C.doStuff() overrides B.doStuff() and implements A.doStuff(). All methods in java are invoked virtually. In fact there is no difference for user, whether C.doStuff() overrides B's method or A's. For jvm it will be different, because interface based invocation differs from class based.

UPD: This depends on type of a link, you are invoking from. different opcoded will be generated by javac: invokevirtual or invokeinterface

edited Mar 4, 2013 at 14:17

answered Mar 4, 2013 at 13:45

Mikhail

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1 Comment

a.u.r Over a year ago

this is exactly what I was asking for, I know it doesn't make difference for the user, but how the JVM would invoke the function was my concern. so, will the JVM invoke the function as an implementation for interface A or abstract class B ?

Gerard Ribas · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-04 13:08:00Z

0

If you remove the

 public abstract void doStuff();

In your abstract class, then the childs that inherits this class HAVE TO implement this method.

Try to remove this method in Class B and see the results in class C

See section When an Abstract Class Implements an Interface in http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/IandI/abstract.html

answered Mar 4, 2013 at 13:08

Gerard Ribas

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1 Comment

a.u.r Over a year ago

This would make it a direct implementation for the interface, I'm asking about that particular case mentioned above: where both abstract class and interface have the same method

bjedrzejewski · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-04 13:40:52Z

0

I think that the explanation that you are looking for can be found here.

Question 1: Method in class C implements both. Since it only extends B however, it only needs to implement B abstract methods and unimplemented interfaces.

Question 2: It is not considered an implementation. Abstract classes do not have to implement all interfaces methods. Implementation in class C is mandatory (even if you don't have the abstract one in class B).

answered Mar 4, 2013 at 13:40

bjedrzejewski

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