Abstract Classes vs Interfaces in Object-Oriented Programming

When it comes to object-oriented programming, understanding the difference between abstract classes and interfaces is crucial. Here's a concise explanation:

Abstract Classes:

An abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated on its own and may contain both abstract (incomplete) methods and concrete (implemented) methods. Subclasses derived from an abstract class must implement all the abstract methods defined by the abstract class.

Interfaces:

An interface is like a blueprint for a class, defining a set of methods that a class must implement. Unlike abstract classes, interfaces cannot contain any implementation code, only method signatures. A class can implement multiple interfaces but can only inherit from one parent class.

Key Differences:

• Abstract classes can have both abstract and concrete methods, while interfaces can only have method signatures.
• A class can only inherit from one abstract class, but can implement multiple interfaces.
• Abstract classes are used when you want to provide some common functionality in a base class, while interfaces define a contract for what a class must implement.

Overall, choosing between an abstract class and an interface depends on your specific design needs and the relationship between different classes in your application.