Abstract Class vs Interface in Java: Key Differences Explained
Introduction to Abstract Classes and Interfaces in Java In object-oriented programming, Java provides two key constructs for defining the structure and behaviour of classes: abstract classes and interfaces. Both are essential for creating a flexible and modular codebase, but they serve different purposes and have unique characteristics. Understanding the differences between abstract classes and interfaces is crucial for Java developers to design and implement robust software systems. What is an Abstract Class? In Java, an abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated on its own and is meant to be subclassed. It can contain both abstract methods (without a body) and concrete methods (with an implementation). Abstract classes are used to define a common template for a group of subclasses. Let's illustrate this with an example where we have a superclass Animal with an abstract method makeSound(). Different subclasses such as Dog and Cat will provide their own implementations o