Exploring the Differences Between Abstract Classes and Interfaces in Java

Abstract classes and interfaces are important concepts in Java programming that serve different purposes. Let's delve into the distinctions between them and understand when to use each in development projects.

Abstract Classes

An abstract class in Java is a class that cannot be instantiated on its own and may contain both abstract and non-abstract methods. Abstract methods are declared without an implementation and must be implemented by the subclasses that extend the abstract class. The focus keyword here is "abstract classes."

Interfaces

Interfaces in Java are similar to abstract classes but can only contain method signatures and constants. They define a contract that classes implementing the interface must adhere to, specifying the methods that must be implemented. This allows for achieving multiple inheritance in Java. The keyword identified here is "interfaces."

Choosing Between Abstract Classes and Interfaces

When deciding between abstract classes and interfaces, consider the following:

• If you want to provide a partial implementation and have methods that can be shared by multiple classes, use an abstract class.
• Use interfaces when you want to define a contract for classes to implement, enabling multiple inheritance.

It's important to note that a class can implement multiple interfaces but can only extend one abstract class. Thus, the choice between abstract classes and interfaces depends on the specific design requirements of your project.