What is the difference between an abstract class and an interface in Java, and in what scenarios would you use each one?

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Answered by suresh

Difference between Abstract Class and Interface in Java

What is the Difference between Abstract Class and Interface in Java?

In Java, an abstract class is a class that may contain abstract methods, which are methods without a body. Abstract classes can also have implemented methods. On the other hand, an interface in Java is like a blueprint of a class, containing only method signatures without implementations.

Scenarios to use Abstract Class:

  • When you want to create a base class with common functionality that multiple derived classes can inherit.
  • When you need to provide default implementations for some methods while leaving others abstract.
  • When you want to define a template for other classes to follow.

Scenarios to use Interface:

  • When you want to enforce certain behavior across multiple unrelated classes.
  • When a class needs to implement multiple interfaces, as Java does not support multiple inheritance.
  • When you want to achieve loose coupling between classes by using interfaces as contracts for communication.
Answer for Question: What is the difference between an abstract class and an interface in Java, and in what scenarios would you use each one?