Difference between Interface and Abstract Class in Java
Interface:
An interface in Java is a collection of method declarations without any method implementations. It provides a way to define the structure of a class, without actually implementing it. Interfaces in Java can be implemented by any class that agrees to adhere to its method signatures.
Abstract Class:
An abstract class in Java is a class that can have both concrete methods (methods with implementations) and abstract methods (methods without implementations). Abstract classes cannot be instantiated directly and are meant to be subclassed to provide implementation for the abstract methods.
Key Differences:
- Interfaces can only have method declarations while abstract classes can have both method declarations and method implementations.
- Classes can implement multiple interfaces but can extend only one abstract class.
- Abstract classes may contain non-abstract methods, whereas interfaces cannot have non-abstract methods.
- Interfaces are used to define contracts that classes must adhere to, while abstract classes are used to provide a common implementation for subclasses.
Understanding the differences between interface and abstract class in Java is crucial for software engineers as it helps in designing flexible and maintainable code structures.
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