Abstract Class vs Interface in Object-Oriented Programming

In object-oriented programming, both abstract classes and interfaces are used to define a blueprint for classes to implement. However, there are key differences between the two:

Abstract Class:

An abstract class in OOP is a class that cannot be instantiated on its own and may contain abstract methods that must be implemented by its subclasses. It can also have defined methods and properties. A class can only inherit from one abstract class.

Interface:

An interface in OOP defines a contract that a class can implement. It only contains method declarations without implementations. A class can implement multiple interfaces, allowing for a more flexible design.

Main Differences:

• An abstract class can have defined methods while an interface cannot have method implementations.
• A class can inherit from only one abstract class but can implement multiple interfaces.
• Abstract classes can have constructors while interfaces cannot.
• Interfaces are used to define common behavior across unrelated classes while abstract classes are used for defining a base class for other classes to inherit from.

Understanding the differences between abstract classes and interfaces is crucial for designing effective object-oriented systems.