What is Java?

Java is a high-level, object-oriented, robust, secure programming language, platform-

independent, high-performance, Multithreaded, and portable programming language. It was
developed by James Gosling and his team at Sun Microsystems in June 1991. It can also be
known as the platform, as it provides its own JRE and API. Java is designed to be versatile,
secure, and portable, allowing developers to write code that can run on various platforms
without modification.
To read more: Java Tutorial

2) What are the differences between C++ and Java?

The differences between C++ and Java are given in the following table.

Aspect C++ Java

Platform-independent C++ is platform-dependent. Java is platform-independe

Used for C++ is mainly used for system Java is mainly used for app
programming. programming. It is widely u
Windows, web-based, enter
mobile applications.

Design Goal C++ was designed for systems and Java was designed and crea
applications programming. It was an interpreter for printing syst
extension of the C programming later extended as a support
language. computing. It was designed
of being easy to use and ac
broader audience.

Goto Statement C++ supports the goto statement. Java does not support the g
statement.

Multiple inheritance C++ supports multiple inheritance. Java does not support multi
inheritance through a class.
in Java can achieve it.

Operator Overloading C++ supports operator overloading. Java does not support opera
overloading.
Pointers C++ supports pointers. We can write a Java supports pointers inter
pointer program in C++. However, we cannot write t
program in Java. It means J
restricted pointer support in

Compiler and Interpreter C++ uses a compiler only. C++ is Java uses a compiler and an
compiled and run using the compiler, Java source code is convert
which converts source code into bytecode at compilation tim
machine code, so C++ is platform- interpreter executes this by
dependent. runtime and produces outpu
interpreted, which is why it
independent.

Call by Value and Call by Reference C++ supports both call by value and Java supports call by value
call by reference. is no call by reference in Ja

Structure and Union C++ supports structures and unions. Java does not support struc
unions.

Thread Support C++ does not have built-in support for Java has built-in thread sup
threads. It relies on third-party libraries
for thread support.

Documentation comment C++ does not support documentation Java supports documentatio
comments. (/** ... */) to create docume
Java source code.

virtual Keyword C++ supports the virtual keyword so Java has no virtual keyword
that we can decide whether or not to override all non-static meth
override a function. default. In other words, non
methods are virtual by defa

Unsigned Right shift >>> C++ does not support the >>> operator. Java supports the unsigned
>>> operator that fills zero
for the negative numbers. F
numbers, it works the same
operator.

Inheritance Tree C++ creates a new inheritance tree Java uses a single inheritan
every time. always because all classes a
of the Object class in Java.
 class is the root of the inher
in Java.

Hardware C++ is nearer to hardware. Java is not so interactive w

hardware.

Object-Oriented C++ is an object-oriented language. Java is also an object-

However, in the C language, a single oriented language. Howeve
root hierarchy is not possible. (except fundamental types)
in Java. It is a single root h
everything gets derived fro
[Link].

Memory Management Manual memory management using Automatic memory manage

new and delete keywords. through garbage collection.

Exception Handling Supports try, throw, and catch for Exception handling using tr
exception handling. and catch as well.

Standard Library Standard Template Library (STL) for Java Standard Edition (SE)
data structures and algorithms. various utilities and functio

App Development Commonly used for desktop Widely used for web, enter
applications. mobile applications.

Runtime Environment Closer to the machine may have better Java Virtual Machine (JVM
performance. layer of abstraction, sacrific
performance for portability

Garbage Collection Manual memory management, no built- Automatic garbage collecti

in garbage collection. manage memory.

To read more: Difference between C++ and Java

3) List the features of Java Programming language.

o There are the following features in the Java Programming Language.
o Simple: Java is easy to learn. The syntax of Java is based on C++, which makes it
easier to write programs in it.
 o Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Java follows the object-oriented paradigm,
which allows us to maintain our code as a combination of different types of objects
that incorporate both data and behavior. Everything in Java is treated as an object,
promoting modularity and code reusability.
o Portable: Java supports a read-once-write-anywhere approach. We can execute the
Java program on every machine. A Java program (.java) is converted to bytecode
(.class), which can be easily run on every machine.
o Platform Independent: Java is a platform-independent programming language. It is
different from other programming languages like C and C++, which need a platform
to be executed. Java comes with its own platform on which its code is executed. Java
doesn't depend upon the operating system to be executed.
o Secured: Java is secured because it does not use explicit pointers. Java also provides
the concept of ByteCode and Exception handling, which makes it more secured. The
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) includes a security manager and a set of APIs to
control access to resources and prevent malicious activities.
o Robust: Java is a strong programming language as it uses strong memory
management. The concepts like Automatic garbage collection, Exception handling,
etc., make it more robust.
o Architecture Neutral: Java is architecture-neutral as it is not dependent on the
architecture. In C, the size of data types may vary according to the architecture (32-bit
or 64-bit), which does not exist in Java.
o Interpreted: Java uses the Just-in-time (JIT) interpreter along with the compiler for
the program execution.
o High Performance: Java is faster than other traditional interpreted programming
languages because Java bytecode is "close" to native code. It is still a little bit slower
than a compiled language (for example, C++). While interpreted, Java's Just-In-Time
(JIT) compilation translates bytecode into machine code for improved performance.
o Multithreaded: We can write Java programs that deal with many tasks at once by
defining multiple threads. The main advantage of multi-threading is that it does not
occupy memory for each thread. It shares a common memory area. Threads are
important for multi-media, Web applications, etc. Java's bytecode can be executed on
any device with a JVM, ensuring portability across different platforms.
o Distributed: Java is distributed because it facilitates users to create distributed
applications in Java. RMI and EJB are used for creating distributed applications. This
feature of Java makes us able to access files by calling the methods from any machine
on the internet.
o Dynamic: Java is a dynamic language. It supports dynamic loading of classes. It
means classes are loaded on demand. It also supports functions from its native
languages, i.e., C and C++.
To read more: Features of Java
4) What do you understand by Java Virtual Machine (JVM)?
Java Virtual Machine is a virtual machine that enables a computer to run Java programs. It is
a virtualized execution environment that allows Java programs to run on any device with a
compatible JVM. JVM is the specification that must be implemented in the computer system.
It interprets Java bytecode and translates it into machine code for the underlying hardware.
To read more: Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
5) What are the differences between JDK, JRE, and JVM?

Feature JDK JRE JVM

Definition Java Development Kit (JDK) Java Runtime Environment Java Virtual Mac
is a software development (JRE) is a software package is an abstract ma
kit used to develop Java that provides Java Virtual provides an envi
applications. Machine (JVM), class the execution of
libraries and other ByteCodes.
components to run
applications in Java.

Functions Provides tools for It provides an environment The virtual mach

developing Java for executing Java runs the bytecod
applications. It includes applications. It includes by the compiler.
compiler (javac), JRE, and JVM and libraries required JRE and is platfo
debugging tools. to run Java programs, but dependent but pr
does not include platform-indepe
development tools. execution enviro
 Use Cases Used by developers to write, Used by end-users to Converts byteco
compile, and debug Java execute Java applications machine code an
programs. without needing it on the underly
development tools. hardware.

Platform Dependency It is platform dependent. It is platform dependent. It is platform dep

Implementation JDK = JRE + Development JRE = JVM + Class libraries JVM = provides
tools environment.

To read more: Difference between JDK, JRE, and JVM

6) How many types of memory areas are allocated by the JVM?

Class (Method) Area: Class Area stores per-class structures such as the runtime constant
pool, field, method data, and the code for methods.
Heap: It is the runtime data area in which memory is allocated to the objects
Stack: Java Stack stores frames. Holds local variables and partial results, supporting method
execution. Each thread has a private JVM stack, created at the same time as the thread. A new
frame is created each time a method is invoked. A frame is destroyed when its method
invocation completes.
PC Register (Non-Heap): Keeps track of the current execution position for each thread.
Native Method Stack (Non-Heap): It contains native method information and supports
native code execution.

To read more: Memory Management in Java

7) What is JIT compiler?

Just-In-Time (JIT) Compiler: It is used to improve the performance. The compiler is part of
the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).
It translates Java bytecode into native machine code at runtime. Therefore, reduces the
amount of time needed for compilation.
Here, the term "compiler" refers to a translator from the instruction set of a Java Virtual
Machine (JVM) to the instruction set of a specific CPU.

To read more: JIT in Java

8) What is the platform?

A platform refers to the combination of hardware and software on which programs run. In the
context of Java, the platform includes the operating system and the Java Virtual Machine
(JVM).
There are two types of platforms:
1. Software-Based
2. Hardware-Based

9) What are the main differences between the Java platform and other platforms?
There are the following differences between the Java platform and other platforms.
1. Java is platform-independent due to its "Write Once, Run Anywhere" nature.
2. Other platforms may require platform-specific code and compilation for each target
environment.

10) What gives Java its 'write once and run anywhere' nature?
Java compiler converts the Java programs into a class file (bytecode), which is the
intermediate language between source code and machine code. Code is compiled to bytecode,
which is platform-independent, and the JVM executes this bytecode on any device with a
compatible JVM.
To read more: Java Compiler

11) What is a ClassLoader?

Classloader is a subsystem of the JVM that is used to load class files. It loads Java classes
into memory during runtime. Responsible for finding and loading class files needed by a Java
program.
There are three built-in classloaders in Java.
1. Bootstrap ClassLoader:This is the first classloader, which is the superclass of
Extension classloader. It loads the jar file, which contains all class files of Java
Standard Edition, like [Link] package classes, [Link] package classes, [Link]
package classes, [Link] package classes, [Link] package classes, etc.
2. Extension ClassLoader:This is the child classloader of Bootstrap and the parent
classloader of the System classloader. It loads the jar files located
inside $JAVA_HOME/jre/lib/ext
3. System/Application ClassLoader:This is the child classloader of the Extension
classloader. It loads the class files from the classpath. By default, the classpath is set
to the current directory. You can change the classpath using the "-cp" or "-classpath"
switch. It is also known as the Application classloader.

To read more: ClassLoader in Java

12) Is an empty .java file name a valid source file name?

Yes, in Java, the source file can be saved with the .java extension, and then it can be compiled
using the javac command followed by the file name (including the .java extension). Finally,
the program can be executed using the Java command followed by the name of the class that
contains the main() method.
Let's take a simple example:
1. //save by .java only
2. class Main {
3. public static void main(String args[]){
4. [Link]("Hello Java");
5. }
6. }
Compile the code using the javac command:
javac [Link]
Run the program using the java command:
java Main

13) Is delete, next, main, exit, or null keyword in Java?

No, in Java, delete, next, main, exit, and null are not keywords.

14) If I do not provide any arguments on the command line, then what will the value stored in
the String array passed into the main() method, empty or NULL?
It is empty, but not null. If we do not provide any command-line arguments when running a
Java program, the String array passed into the main() method will be an empty array, not null.
The args parameter of the main() method is an array of strings, and it is always initialized by
Java, even if no command-line arguments are provided.

15) What if we write static public void instead of public static void?
The program compiles and runs correctly because the order of specifiers does not matter in
Java.
In Java, the placement of access modifiers (public, private, protected) and other specifiers
(static, final, etc.) before the return type (void in this case) is flexible. Both public static void
and static public void are accepted and considered correct syntax.
Here are the two equivalent valid declarations for the main() method:
1. public static void main(String[] args) {
2. // Code goes here
3. }
 4. static public void main(String[] args) {
5. // Code goes here
6. }
To read more Java main() Method

16) What is the default value of the local variables?

In Java, local variables are not assigned default values by the compiler. They must be
explicitly initialized before they are used, or a compilation error will occur.
1. public class Main {
2. public static void main(String[] args) {
3. int x;
4. [Link](x); // Compilation error: The local variable x may not have be
en initialized
5. }
6. }
To read more: Java Variables

17) What are the various access specifiers in Java?

In Java, access specifiers are the keywords that are used to define the access scope of a
method, class, or variable. There are two types of modifiers in Java: access
modifiers and non-access modifiers.
Access Specifiers
public: public classes, methods, or variables that are defined as public can be accessed by
any class or method.
protected: The protected classes, methods, or variables can be accessed by the class of the
same package, or by a subclass of this class, or within the same class.
private: The private class, methods, or variables defined as private can be accessed within
the class only.
default (package-private): If no access specifier is used, it is considered package-private.
Members with default access are accessible only within the same package.
Non-Access Specifier
It includes static, synchronized, abstract, native, volatile, transient.
To read more: Java Access Specifiers

18) What is the purpose of static methods and variables?

The methods or variables defined as static are shared among all the objects of the class. Static
is the part of the class and not of the object. Static methods and variables in Java are
associated with the class rather than with an instance of the class. Therefore, static is used in
the case where we need to define variables or methods that are common to all the objects of
the class.
For example, in the class simulating the collection of the students in a college, the name of
the college is a common attribute to all the students. Therefore, the college name will be
defined as static.
Class-level Access: Static members belong to the class itself rather than to instances of the
class. It means they can be accessed using the class name without creating an instance of the
class.
Constants: Static variables are commonly used to define constants in a class. These values
are shared among all instances of the class and can be accessed using the class name.
To read more: Static Method in Java

19) What are the advantages of packages in Java?

Packages in Java provide a way to organize and structure classes and interfaces into a
hierarchical structure. They offer several advantages:
o Packages avoid the name clashes.
o The Package provides easier access control.
o We can also have the hidden classes that are not visible outside and used by the
package.
o It is easier to locate the related classes.
To read more: Advantages of Packages in Java
20) What is the output of the following Java program?
Example
1. class Test
2. {
3. public static void main (String args[])
4. {
5. [Link](10 + 20 + "Tpointtech");
6. [Link]("Tpointtech" + 10 + 20);
7. }
8. }
Output:
30Tpointtech
Tpointtech1020
Explanation
In the first case, 10 and 20 are treated as numbers and added to be 30. Now, their sum 30 is
treated as a string and concatenated with the string Tpointtech. Therefore, the output will
be 30Tpointtech.
In the second case, the string Tpointtech is concatenated with 10 to be the
string Tpointtech10, which will then be concatenated with 20 to be Tpointtech1020.
To read more: Java Programs

21) What is the output of the following Java program?

Example
1. class Test
2. {
3. public static void main (String args[])
4. {
5. [Link](10 * 20 + "Tpointtech");
6. [Link]("Tpointtech" + 10 * 20);
7. }
 8. }
Output:
200Tpointtech
Tpointtech200
Explanation
In the first case, the numbers 10 and 20 will be multiplied first, and then the result 200 is
treated as a string and concatenated with the string Tpointtech to produce the
output 200Tpointtech.
In the second case, the numbers 10 and 20 will be multiplied first to be 200 because the
precedence of multiplication is higher than addition. The result 200 will be treated as a string
and concatenated with the string Tpointtech to produce the output as Tpointtech200.

22) What is the output of the following Java program?

1. class Test
2. {
3. public static void main (String args[])
4. {
5. for(int i=0; 0; i++)
6. {
7. [Link]("Hello Tpointtech");
8. }
9. }
10. }
The above code will result in a compilation error due to the non-boolean expression in the
second part of the for loop, and given is an integer value, i.e., 0.

Core Java - OOP Concepts: Initial OOP Interview Questions

There is given more than 50 OOP (Object-Oriented Programming and System) interview
questions. However, they have been categorized in many sections such as constructor
interview questions, static interview questions, Inheritance Interview questions, Abstraction
interview questions, Polymorphism interview questions, etc., for better understanding.

23) What is an object-oriented paradigm?

It is a programming paradigm based on objects having data and methods defined in the class
to which it belongs. Key principles of the object-oriented paradigm include encapsulation,
inheritance, and polymorphism, providing a framework for designing and structuring
software in a way that models real-world entities and promotes code reusability and
maintainability. Objects are the instances of classes that interact with one another to design
applications and programs.
There are the following features of the object-oriented paradigm.
o OOPs follows the bottom-up approach in program design.
o Focus on data with methods to operate upon the object's data
o Includes concepts like Encapsulation and abstraction, which hide the complexities
from the user and show only functionality.
o Implements the real-time approach like inheritance, abstraction, etc.
The examples of the object-oriented paradigm are C++, Simula, Smalltalk, Python, C#, etc.
To read more: OOPs (Object-Oriented Programming) Concepts in Java

24) What is an object?

The Object is a real-time entity having some state and behavior. In Java, an Object is an
instance of a class that has instance variables as the state of the object and methods as the
behavior of the object. The object of a class can be created by using the new keyword.
For example, if we have a class called Car, an object of that class could represent a specific
car with attributes like color, model, year, and methods like startEngine() or drive(). Each
instance of the Car class would be a distinct object with its own unique state.
To read more: Java Classes & Objects

25) What is the difference between an object-oriented programming language and an object-
based programming language?
There are the following basic differences between object-oriented languages and object-based
languages.
Object-oriented languages follow all the concepts of OOP, whereas object-based languages
do not follow all the concepts of OOP, like inheritance and polymorphism. It allows the
creation of classes and objects, and it supports the defining and implementation of methods
within those classes.
Object-oriented languages do not have the inbuilt objects, whereas Object-based languages
have the inbuilt objects; for example, JavaScript has the window object. It allows the creation
of objects and encapsulation of data, but it might not provide the complete set of features
associated with full OOP.
Examples of object-oriented programming are Java, C#, Smalltalk, etc., whereas the
examples of object-based languages are JavaScript, VBScript, etc.

26) What will be the initial value of an object reference that is defined as an instance
variable?
In Java, when an object reference is declared as an instance variable (a member variable of a
class). It is automatically initialized to null by default. It is true for all object references,
regardless of the class type.

Core Java - OOPs Concepts: Constructor Interview Questions

27) What is the constructor?

The constructor can be defined as a special type of method that is used to initialize the state
of an object. It is invoked when the class is instantiated, and the memory is allocated for the
object. Every time an object is created using the new keyword, the default constructor of the
class is called. The name of the constructor must be similar to the class name. The constructor
must not have an explicit return type.
To read more: Constructors in Java

28) How many types of constructors are used in Java?

Based on the parameters passed in the constructors, there are two types of constructors in
Java.
Default Constructor: The default constructor is the one that does not accept any value. The
default constructor is mainly used to initialize the instance variable with the default values.
The default constructor initializes instance variables to their default values (numeric types to
0, booleans to false, and object references to null). A default constructor is invoked implicitly
by the compiler if there is no constructor defined in the class.
1. public class Main {
2. // Default constructor (automatically provided if not defined explicitly)
3. }
Parameterized Constructor: The parameterized constructor is the one that can initialize the
instance variables with the given values. It allows us to initialize the object with specific
values during the object creation process. In other words, we can say that the constructors
that can accept the arguments are called parameterized constructors.
1. public class Main {
2. // Parameterized constructor
 3. public Example(int value) {
4. // Initialization logic here
5. }
6. }

29) What is the purpose of a default constructor?

The default constructor in Java is a constructor with no parameters. The purpose of the
default constructor is to assign the default value to the objects. The Java compiler
automatically provides it if a class does not have any explicit constructor defined.
Example
1. class Main {
2. int id;
3. String name;
4. void display(){[Link](id+" "+name);}
5. public static void main(String args[]){
6. Main m1=new Main ();
7. Main m2=new Main();
8. [Link]();
9. [Link]();
 10. }
11. }
Output:
0 null
0 null
Explanation: In the above class, you are not creating any constructor, so the compiler
provides you a default constructor. Here, 0 and null values are provided by the default
constructor.

30) Does the constructor return any value?

Yes, in Java, a constructor does not have a return type, not even void. The purpose of a
constructor is to initialize the object's state and prepare it for use. The constructor implicitly
returns the current instance of the class (we cannot use an explicit return type with the
constructor).

31) Is the constructor inherited?

No, Constructors are not inherited. The superclass constructor can be called from the first line
of a subclass constructor by using the keyword super and passing appropriate parameters to
set the private instance variables of the superclass.

32) Can you make a constructor final?

No, in Java, constructors cannot be declared as final. The final keyword is used to indicate
that a class, method, or variable cannot be further subclassed, overridden, or modified.
However, it does not apply to constructors.

33) Can we overload the constructors?

Yes, the constructors can be overloaded by changing the number of arguments accepted by
the constructor or by changing the data type of the parameters.
Each constructor provides a different way to initialize an object of the class. The choice of
which constructor to invoke is based on the arguments passed during object creation.
Consider the following example.
Example
1. class Test
2. {
3. int i;
4. public Test(int k)
5. {
6. i=k;
7. }
8. public Test(int k, int m)
9. {
10. [Link]("Hi I am assigning the value max(k, m) to i");
11. if(k>m)
12. {
13. i=k;
14. }
15. else
16. {
17. i=m;
18. }
19. }
20. }
21. public class Main
22. {
23. public static void main (String args[])
24. {
25. Test test1 = new Test(10);
 26. Test test2 = new Test(12, 15);
27. [Link](test1.i);
28. [Link](test2.i);
29. }
30. }
Output:
Hi I am assigning the value max(k, m) to i
10
15
In the above program, the constructor Test is overloaded with another constructor. In the
first call to the constructor, the constructor with one argument is called, and i will be
initialized with the value 10. However, in the second call to the constructor, the constructor
with the 2 arguments is called, and i will be initialized with the value 15.

34) What do you understand by copy constructor in Java?

There is no copy constructor in Java. However, we can copy the values from one object to
another, like a copy constructor in C++.
There are many ways to copy the values of one object into another in Java. They are:
o By using a constructor
o By assigning the values of one object to another
o By using [Link]() Method
In this example, we are going to copy the values of one object into another using a Java
constructor.
Example
1. public class Main {
2. int id;
3. String name;
4. // Constructor to initialize integer and string
5. Main(int id, String name) {
6. [Link] = id;
7. [Link] = name;
8. }
 9. // Copy constructor
10. Main(Main s) {
11. [Link] = [Link];
12. [Link] = [Link];
13. }
14. void display() {
15. [Link](id + " " + name);
16. }
17. public static void main(String[] args) {
18. Main obj1 = new Main(111, "Karan");
19. Main obj2 = new Main(obj1);
20. [Link]();
21. [Link]();
22. }
23. }
Output:
111 Karan
111 Karan
Copy constructors can be useful in scenarios where you need to duplicate the state of an
existing object without directly referencing the same data. They are not built into the Java
language like some other languages, but we can define them in our classes as needed.
To read more: Copy Constructor in Java

35) What are the differences between the constructors and methods?
There are many differences between constructors and methods.

Java Constructor Java Method

A constructor is used to initialize the state of an object. A method is used to expose the behavior of an ob

A constructor must not have a return type. A method must have a return type.
 The constructor is invoked implicitly. The method is invoked explicitly.

The Java compiler provides a default constructor if we do not The compiler does not provide the method in any
have any constructor in a class.

The constructor's name must be the same as the class name. The method name may or may not be the same a
name.

To read more: Difference Between Constructor and Method in Java

36) What is the output of the following Java program?

Example
1. public class Main
2. {
3. Main(int a, int b)
4. {
 5. [Link]("a = "+a+" b = "+b);
6. }
7. Main(int a, float b)
8. {
9. [Link]("a = "+a+" b = "+b);
10. }
11. public static void main (String args[])
12. {
13. byte a = 10;
14. byte b = 15;
15. Main obj = new Main(a,b);
16. }
17. }
Output:
a = 10 b = 15
Here, the data type of the variables a and b, i.e., byte, gets promoted to int, and the first
parameterized constructor with the two integer parameters is called.

37) What is the output of the following Java program?

Example
1. class Test
2. {
3. int i;
4. }
5. public class Main
6. {
7. public static void main (String args[])
8. {
9. Test test = new Test();
10. [Link](test.i);
11. }
 12. }
Output:
0
The output of the program is 0 because the variable i is initialized to 0 internally. As we know
that a default constructor is invoked implicitly if there is no constructor in the class, the
variable i is initialized to 0 since there is no constructor in the class.

38) What is the output of the following Java program?

1. class Test
2. {
3. int test_a, test_b;
4. Test(int a, int b)
5. {
6. test_a = a;
7. test_b = b;
8. }
9. public static void main (String args[])
10. {
11. Test test = new Test();
12. [Link](test.test_a+" "+test.test_b);
13. }
14. }
Output:
Exception in thread "main" [Link]: Unresolved compilation problem:
The constructor Test() is undefined
There is a compiler error in the program because there is a call to the default constructor in
the main method that is not present in the class. However, there is only one parameterized
constructor in the class Test. Therefore, no default constructor is invoked by the constructor
implicitly.

Core Java - OOPs Concepts: static Keyword Interview Questions

39) What is the static variable?
The static variable is used to refer to the common property of all objects (that is not unique
for each object), for example, the company name of employees, the college name of students,
etc. Static variable gets memory only once in the class area at the time of class loading. Using
a static variable makes your program more memory efficient (it saves memory). A static
variable belongs to the class rather than the object. The following Java program depicts the
use of a static variable.
Example
1. public class Main {
2. int rollno;
3. String name;
4. static final String COLLEGE = "ITS";
5. Main(int r, String n) {
6. rollno = r;
7. name = n;
8. }
9. void display() {
10. [Link](rollno + " " + name + " " + COLLEGE);
11. }
12. public static void main(String[] args) {
13. Main obj1 = new Main (111, "Karan");
14. Main obj2 = new Main(222, "Aryan");
15. [Link]();
16. [Link]();
17. }
18. }
Output:
111 Karan ITS
222 Aryan ITS

40) What is the static method?

In Java, a static variable is a class-level variable that belongs to the class rather than to
instances of the class. It is shared among all instances of the class and is initialized only once
when the class is loaded into memory.
o A static method belongs to the class rather than the object.
o There is no need to create the object to call the static methods.
o A static method can access and change the value of the static variable.
Static Keyword in Java

41) What are the restrictions that are applied to the Java static methods?
Java static methods have certain restrictions and characteristics that differentiate them from
instance methods. Here are the key restrictions and considerations for Java static methods:
The two main restrictions applied to the static methods are as follows:
o The static method cannot use a non-static data member or call a non-static method
directly.
o This and super keyword cannot be used in a static context as they are non-static.
o Static methods in Java cannot be overridden. Even if a subclass declares a static
method with the same signature as a static method in its superclass, it is considered
method hiding, not overriding.
To read more: Static Method in Java

42) Why the main() method is static?

Because the object is not required to call the static method, if we make the main() method
non-static, the JVM will have to create its object first and then call the main() method, which
will lead to extra memory allocation.
Here are the main reasons:
The main() method is the entry point for the execution of a Java program. When we run a
Java program, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) looks for the main() method with the
following signature:
1. public static void main(String[] args)
When a Java program is executed, the JVM loads the class into memory and looks for the
main() method to start the program.
To read more: Why main() method is always static in Java

43) Can we override the static methods?

No, static methods cannot be overridden in Java. While a subclass can declare a static method
with the same signature as a static method in its superclass, it is considered method hiding,
not method overriding.

44) What is the static block?

A static block is used to initialize the static data member. It is executed before the execution
of the main() method, at the time of class loading.
Example
1. class Main {
2. static { [Link]("static block is invoked"); }
3. public static void main(String args[]) {
4. [Link]("Hello main");
5. }
6. }
Output:
static block is invoked
Hello main
To read more: Static Block in Java

45) Can we execute a program without a main() method?

No, in Java, we cannot execute a program without the main() method. The main() method
serves as the entry point for the execution of a Java program, and it must be defined in every
Java class that serves as the starting point for an application. The JVM looks for the main()
method with the following signature to begin program execution:
1. public static void main(String[] args)
To read more: Java main() Method

46) What if the static modifier is removed from the signature of the main method?
Program compiles. If the static keyword is removed from the signature of the main() method
in Java, the program will compile successfully, but it will not run successfully. The main()
method must be declared as static because it serves as the entry point for the Java program,
and the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) needs to invoke it without creating an instance of the
class. It throws an error "NoSuchMethodError."
47) What is the difference between a static (class) method and an instance method?

A method that is declared as static is known as a static A method that is not declared as static is known a
method. instance method.

We do not need to create the objects to call the static The object is required to call the instance method
methods.

Non-static (instance) members cannot be accessed in the Static and non-static variables can both be access
static context (static method, static block, and static nested instance methods.
class) directly.

For example: public static int cube(int n){ return n*n*n;} For example: public void msg(){...}.

To read more: Difference Between Static and Instance Methods in Java

48) Can we make constructors static?

No, constructors cannot be declared as static in Java, as we know that the static context
(method, block, or variable) belongs to the class, not the object. Since Constructors are
invoked only when the object is created, there is no sense in making the constructors static.
Making a constructor static would imply that it belongs to the class and not to instances,
which contradicts the fundamental purpose of a constructor. However, if we try to do so, the
compiler will show the compiler error..

49) Can we make the abstract methods static in Java?

No, abstract methods cannot be declared as static in Java. In Java, if we make the abstract
methods static, they will become part of the class, and we can directly call them, which is
unnecessary. Since abstract methods are expected to be overridden by subclasses, making
them static would be contradictory to their purpose. Calling an undefined method is
completely useless; therefore, it is not allowed.

50) Can we declare the static variables and methods in an abstract class?
Yes, it is possible to declare static variables and methods in an abstract class in Java. As we
know that there is no requirement to make the object access the static context; therefore, we
can access the static context declared inside the abstract class by using the name of the
abstract class.
Consider the following example.
Example
 1. abstract class Test
2. {
3. static int i = 102;
4. static void display()
5. {
6. [Link]("hi !! I am good !!");
7. }
8. }
9. public class Main extends Test
10. {
11. public static void main (String args[])
12. {
13. [Link]();
14. [Link]("i = "+Test.i);
15. }
16. }
Output
hi !! I am good !!
i = 102

Core Java - OOPs Concepts: Inheritance Interview Questions

51) What is this keyword in Java?

In Java, this keyword is a reference variable that refers to the current object. There are
various uses of this keyword in Java. It is primarily used within the instance methods of a
class to refer to the object on which the method is invoked. It can be used to refer to current
class properties such as instance methods, variables, constructors, etc. It can also be passed as
an argument to the methods or constructors. It can also be returned from the method as the
current class instance.
To read more: this keyword in Java

52) What are the uses of this keyword?

There are the following uses of this keyword:
o It can be used to refer to the current class instance variable.
o It can be used to invoke the current class method (implicitly).
o The constructor this() can be used to invoke the current class constructor.
o It can be passed as an argument in the method call.
o It can be passed as an argument in the constructor call.
o It can be used to return the current class instance from the method.
Let's understand through a Java program.
1. public class Main {
2. private int x;
3. public void setX(int x) {
4. this.x = x; // Using 'this' to refer to the instance variable
5. }
6. }
To read more this Keyword in Java

53) Can we assign the reference to this variable?

No, it is not possible to assign a new value to this variable in Java. this keyword is an implicit
reference to the current instance of the class and is automatically set by the Java runtime
system when a method is invoked. However, if we try to do so, the compiler error will be
shown. Consider the following example.
Example
 1. public class Main
2. {
3. public Main()
4. {
5. this = null;
6. [Link]("Main class constructor called");
7. }
8. public static void main (String args[])
9. {
10. Main obj = new Main();
11. }
12. }
Output
[Link]: error: cannot assign to 'this'
this = null;
^
1 error

54) Can this keyword be used to refer to static members?

Yes, it is possible to use this keyword to refer to static members because it is just a reference
variable that refers to the current class object. However, as we know, it is unnecessary to
access static variables through objects. Therefore, it is not the best practice to use this to refer
to static members. Consider the following example.
1. public class Main
2. {
3. static int i = 10;
4. public Main()
5. {
6. [Link](this.i);
7. }
8. public static void main (String args[])
 9. {
10. Main obj = new Main();
11. }
12. }
Output
10

55) How can constructor chaining be done using this keyword?

Constructor chaining enables us to call one constructor from another constructor of the class
with respect to the current class object. Constructor chaining in Java can be achieved using
the this keyword. Consider the following example that illustrates how we can use this
keyword to achieve constructor chaining.

1. public class Employee

2. {
3. int id,age;
 4. String name, address;
5. public Employee (int age)
6. {
7. [Link] = age;
8. }
9. public Employee(int id, int age)
10. {
11. this(age);
12. [Link] = id;
13. }
14. public Employee(int id, int age, String name, String address)
15. {
16. this(id, age);
17. [Link] = name;
18. [Link] = address;
19. }
20. public static void main (String args[])
21. {
22. Employee emp = new Employee(105, 22, "Peter", "Delhi");
23. [Link]("ID: "+[Link]+" Name: "+[Link]+" age: "+[Link]+" ad
dress: "+[Link]);
24. }
25. }
Output
ID: 105 Name: Peter age: 22 address: Delhi
To read more: Constructor Chaining in Java

56) What are the advantages of passing this into a method instead of the current class object
itself?
As we know, this refers to the current class object; therefore, it must be similar to the current
class object. However, there can be two main advantages of passing this into a method
instead of the current class object.
 o this is a final variable. Therefore, this cannot be assigned to any new value, whereas
the current class object might not be final and can be changed.
o this keyword can be used in the synchronized block.
Passing this into a method instead of the current class object itself provides several
advantages:
o Flexibility
o Encapsulation
o Consistency

57) What is the Inheritance?

Inheritance is a mechanism by which one object acquires all the properties and behavior of
another object of another class. It is used for Code Reusability and Method Overriding.
Inheritance is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming (OOP) that allows a
class (subclass or derived class) to inherit attributes and behaviors from another class
(superclass or base class). Moreover, we can add new methods and fields in your current class
also. Inheritance represents the IS-A relationship that is also known as a parent-child
relationship.

To read more Inheritance in Java

There are five types of inheritance in Java:
o Single-level inheritance
o Multi-level inheritance
o Multiple Inheritance
 o Hierarchical Inheritance
o Hybrid Inheritance
Note: Multiple inheritance is not supported in Java through a class.
To read more: Types of Inheritance in Java

58) Why is inheritance used in Java?

Various advantages of using inheritance in Java are given below.
o Inheritance provides code reusability. Inheritance allows subclasses to inherit
attributes and behaviors from a superclass, promoting code reuse. Common
functionality can be defined in a superclass, and subclasses can extend or specialize it.
o Runtime polymorphism cannot be achieved without using inheritance.
o We can simulate the inheritance of classes with real-time objects, which makes OOPs
more realistic.
o Inheritance provides data hiding. The base class can hide some data from the derived
class by making it private.
o Method overriding cannot be achieved without inheritance. Inheritance facilitates
polymorphism, allowing objects of a subclass to be treated as objects of the
superclass. By method overriding, we can give a specific implementation of some
basic method contained by the base class.
To read more: Inheritance in Java

59) Which class is the superclass for all the classes?

In Java, the Object class is the superclass of all other classes. Every class in Java directly or
indirectly extends the Object class. The Object class provides fundamental methods that are
inherited by all classes, such as toString(), equals().
To read more: Object Class in Java

60) Why is multiple inheritance not supported in Java?

To reduce the complexity and simplify the language, multiple inheritance is not supported in
Java. Consider a scenario where A, B, and C are three classes. The C class inherits A and B
classes. If A and B classes have the same method and we call it from a child class object,
there will be ambiguity in calling the method of A or B class.
The Diamond Problem occurs when a class inherits from two classes that have a common
ancestor, leading to ambiguity in method resolution.
Since the compile-time errors are better than runtime errors, Java renders a compile-time
error if we inherit 2 classes. So, whether we have the same method or a different one, there
will be a compile-time error.
1. class A{
2. void msg(){[Link]("Hello");}
3. }
4. class B{
5. void msg(){[Link]("Welcome");}
6. }
7. class Main extends A,B{//suppose if it were
8. public Static void main(String args[]){
9. Main obj=new Main();
10. [Link]();//Now which msg() method would be invoked?
11. }
12. }
The above program gives a compile-time error.
To read more: Multiple Inheritance in Java

61) What is aggregation?

Aggregation can be defined as the relationship between two classes where the aggregate class
contains a reference to the class it owns.
Aggregation is a type of association in object-oriented programming where one class contains
an object of another class, forming a relationship between them. It represents a "has-a"
relationship, indicating that a class has an entity as a part of its structure.
For example, the aggregate class Employee, having various fields such as age, name, and
salary, also contains an object of the Address class, having various fields such as Address-
Line 1, City, State, and pin-code.
In other words, we can say that Employee (class) has an object of Address class. Consider the
following example.
[Link]
1. public class Address {
2. String city, state, country;
3. public Address(String city, String state, String country) {
4. [Link] = city;
5. [Link] = state;
6. [Link] = country;
7. }
8. }
[Link]
1. public class Emp {
2. int id;
3. String name;
4. Address address;
5. public Emp(int id, String name,Address address) {
 6. [Link] = id;
7. [Link] = name;
8. [Link]=address;
9. }
10. void display(){
11. [Link](id+" "+name);
12. [Link]([Link]+" "+[Link]+" "+[Link]);
13. }
14. public static void main(String[] args) {
15. Address address1 = new Address("gzb", "UP", "India");
16. Address address2 = new Address("gno", "UP", "India");
17. Emp e=new Emp(111,"varun",address1);
18. Emp e2=new Emp(112,"arun",address2);
19. [Link]();
20. [Link]();
21. }
22. }
Output
111 varun
gzb UP India
112 arun
gno UP India
To read more: Aggregation in Java

62) What is composition?

Composition is a stronger form of aggregation in object-oriented programming. Holding the
reference of a class within another class is known as composition. When an object contains
another object, if the contained object cannot exist without the existence of the container
object, then it is called composition. In other words, we can say that composition is a
particular case of aggregation, which represents a stronger relationship between two objects.
Example: A class contains students. A student cannot exist without a class. There exists a
composition between the class and the students.
Composition is a way to create more robust and tightly integrated structures by combining
objects to form a larger, more complex system.
To read more: Composition in Java

63) What is the difference between aggregation and composition?

Aggregation represents a weak relationship, whereas composition represents a strong
relationship. Aggregation represents a "has-a" relationship, where one class has a reference to
another class, but the referenced class can exist independently. Composition also represents a
"has-a" relationship, but it is a stronger form of association. For example, the bike has an
indicator (aggregation), but the bike has an engine (composition).
To read more: Difference Between Aggregation and Composition in Java

64) Why does Java not support pointers?

Java does not support explicit pointers like those found in languages such as C or C++, as the
pointer is a variable that refers to the memory address. They are not used in Java because they
are unsafe(unsecured) and complex to understand.

65) What is super in Java?

In Java, super is a keyword that is used to refer to the immediate parent class object.
Whenever you create an instance of the subclass, an instance of the parent class is created
implicitly, which is referred to by the super reference variable. The super() is called in the
class constructor implicitly by the compiler if there is no super or this.
The super keyword is commonly used in scenarios where a class extends another class, and
there is a need to differentiate between the members of the subclass and the superclass.
1. class Animal {
2. Animal() { [Link]("An animal is created"); }
3. }
 4. class Dog extends Animal {
5. Dog(){
6. [Link](" A dog is created");
7. }
8. }
9. class Main {
10. public static void main(String args[]) {
11. Dog d=new Dog();
12. }
13. }
Output:
An animal is created
A dog is created
To read more: super Keyword in Java

66) How can constructor chaining be done by using the super keyword?
Constructor chaining in Java refers to the process of calling one constructor from another
within the same class or in the parent class. The super keyword is used to invoke the
constructor of the parent class.
Example
1. class Person
2. {
3. String name, address;
4. int age;
5. public Person(int age, String name, String address)
6. {
7. [Link] = age;
8. [Link] = name;
9. [Link] = address;
10. }
11. }
 12. class Employee extends Person
13. {
14. float salary;
15. public Employee(int age, String name, String address, float salary)
16. {
17. super(age,name,address);
18. [Link] = salary;
19. }
20. }
21. public class Main
22. {
23. public static void main (String args[])
24. {
25. Employee e = new Employee(22, "Mukesh", "Delhi", 90000);
26. [Link]("Name: "+[Link]+" Salary: "+[Link]+" Age: "+[Link]+" Ad
dress: "+[Link]);
27. }
28. }
Output
Name: Mukesh Salary: 90000.0 Age: 22 Address: Delhi

67) What are the main uses of the super keyword?

There are the following uses of the super keyword:
o It is used to refer to the immediate parent class instance variable.
o It is used to invoke the immediate parent class method.
o The constructor super() can be used to invoke the immediate parent class constructor.
To read more: super keyword in Java

68) What are the differences between this and super keyword?
These are the following differences between this and super keyword:
The super keyword always points to the parent class contexts whereas this keyword always
points to the current instance of the class.
The super keyword is primarily used for initializing the base class variables within the
derived class constructor whereas this keyword primarily used to differentiate between local
and instance variables when passed in the class constructor.
The super and this must be the first statement inside constructor otherwise the compiler will
throw an error.
To read more: Difference between this and super in Java

69) What is the output of the following Java program?

1. class Person
2. {
3. public Person()
4. {
5. [Link]("Person class constructor called");
6. }
7. }
8. public class Employee extends Person
9. {
10. public Employee()
11. {
12. [Link]("Employee class constructor called");
13. }
14. public static void main (String args[])
15. {
16. Employee e = new Employee();
17. }
18. }
Output
Person class constructor called
Employee class constructor called
Explanation
The super() is implicitly invoked by the compiler if no super() or this() is included explicitly
within the derived class constructor. Therefore, in this case, The Person class constructor is
called first and then the Employee class constructor is called.

70) Can we use this() and super() in a constructor?

No, you cannot use both this() and super() in the same constructor because this() and super()
must be the first statement in the class constructor. Using both in the same constructor would
result in a compilation error.
Example:
1. public class Main {
2. Main()
3. {
4. super();
5. this();
6. [Link]("Main class object is created");
7. }
8. public static void main(String []args){
9. Main t = new Main();
10. }
11. }
Output:
[Link]: error: call to this must be first statement in constructor
To read more: Difference Between this and super in Java

71) What is object cloning?

Object cloning in Java refers to the process of creating an exact copy of an object. The
clone() method of the Object class is used to clone an object. The [Link]
interface must be implemented by the class whose object clone we want to create. If we do
not implement Cloneable interface, clone() method generates CloneNotSupportedException.
The clone() method creates a new object with the same state as the original object.
1. protected Object clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException
2.
To read more: Object Cloning in Java
Core Java - OOP Concepts: Method Overloading Interview Questions

72) What is method overloading?

Method overloading is the polymorphism technique that allows us to create multiple methods
with the same name but different signatures. Method overloading in Java occurs when a class
has multiple methods with the same name but different parameter lists (number, type, or order
of parameters). We can achieve method overloading in the following two ways:
o Different number of arguments
o Different data types of arguments
Method overloading increases the readability of the program. Method overloading is
performed to figure out the program quickly.
To read more: Method Overloading in Java

73) Why is method overloading not possible by changing the return type in Java?
In Java, method overloading is not possible by changing the return type of the program to
avoid ambiguity. The method name and the parameter types determine the method signature.
Changing only the return type does not provide enough information for the compiler to
distinguish between overloaded methods.
1. class Adder{
2. static int add(int a,int b){return a+b;}
3. static double add(int a,int b){return a+b;}
4. }
5. class Main {
6. public static void main(String[] args){
7. [Link]([Link](11,11));//ambiguity
8. }}
Output:
Compile Time Error: method add(int, int) is already defined in class Adder

74) Can we overload the methods by making them static?

No, we cannot overload the methods by just applying the static keyword to them (number of
parameters and types are the same). Consider the following example.
 1. public class Animal
2. {
3. void consume(int a)
4. {
5. [Link](a+" consumed!!");
6. }
7. static void consume(int a)
8. {
9. [Link]("consumed static "+a);
10. }
11. public static void main (String args[])
12. {
13. Animal a = new Animal();
14. [Link](10);
15. [Link](20);
16. }
17. }
Output
[Link]: error: method consume(int) is already defined in class Animal
static void consume(int a)
^
[Link]: error: non-static method consume(int) cannot be referenced from a static
context
[Link](20);
^
2 errors

75) Can we overload the main() method?

Yes, we can have any number of main() methods in a Java program by using method
overloading. However, the JVM looks for the standard public static void main(String[] args)
signature when starting a Java program. Overloaded main() methods can be called from
within the standard main() method, but the program execution begins from the standard
main() method.
To read more: Can we overload the main() method in Java

76) What is method overloading with type promotion?

By type promotion is method overloading, we mean that one data type can be promoted to
another implicitly if no exact matching is found.
Java Method Overloading with Type Promotion
As displayed in the above diagram, the byte can be promoted to short, int, long, float, or
double. The short datatype can be promoted to int, long, float, or double. The char datatype
can be promoted to int, long, float, or double, and so on. Consider the following example.
1. class Main {
2. void sum(int a,long b){[Link](a+b);}
3. void sum(int a,int b,int c){[Link](a+b+c);}
4. public static void main(String args[]){
5. Main obj=new Main();
6. [Link](20,20);//now second int literal will be promoted to long
7. [Link](20,20,20);
8. }
9. }
Output
40
60

77) What is the output of the following Java program?

1. class Main {
2. void sum(int a,long b){[Link]("a method invoked");}
3. void sum(long a,int b){[Link]("b method invoked");}
4. public static void main(String args[]){
5. Main obj = new Main();
6. [Link](20,20);//now ambiguity
7. }
 8. }
Output
[Link]: error: reference to sum is ambiguous
[Link](20,20);//now ambiguity
^
both method sum(int,long) in Main
and method sum(long,int) in Main match
1 error
Explanation
There are two methods defined with the same name, i.e., sum. The first method accepts the
integer and long types, whereas the second method accepts long and the integer types. The
parameters passed are a = 20, b = 20. We cannot tell which method will be called, as there is
no clear differentiation mentioned between integer literal and long literal. This is the case of
ambiguity. Therefore, the compiler will throw an error.

Core Java - OOP Concepts: Method Overriding Interview Questions

78) What is method overriding?

If a subclass provides a specific implementation of a method that is already provided by its
parent class, it is known as Method Overriding. Method overriding in Java occurs when a
subclass provides a specific implementation for a method that is already defined in its
superclass. It is used for runtime polymorphism and to implement the interface methods.
Rules for Method Overriding
o The method must have the same name as in the parent class.
o The method must have the same signature as in the parent class.
o Two classes must have an IS-A relationship between them.
To read more: Method Overriding in Java

79) Can we override the static method?

No, we cannot override the static method because they are a part of the class, not the object.
To read more: Static method in Java

80) Why can we not override a static method?

Static methods cannot be overridden in the traditional sense of dynamic method dispatch that
is associated with polymorphism. It is because the static method is a part of the class, and it is
bound with the class, whereas the instance method is bound with the object, and static gets
memory in the class area, and instance gets memory in the heap.

81) Can we override the overloaded method?

Yes, we can override the overloaded method in Java. Overriding: Overriding is a feature of
OOP languages like Java that is related to run-time polymorphism. A subclass (or derived
class) provides a specific implementation of a method in a superclass (or base class).

82) What are the differences between method overloading and overriding?

Method Overloading Method Overriding

Method overloading increases the readability of the program. Method overriding provides the specific impleme
the method that is already provided by its superc

Method overloading occurs within the class. Method overriding occurs in two classes that hav
relationship between them.

In this case, the parameters must be different. In this case, the parameters must be the same.

To read more: Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java

83) Can we override the private methods?

No, we cannot override the private methods in Java because the scope of private methods is
limited to the class, and we cannot access them outside of the class. But private methods are
not accessible outside their class. Therefore, private methods cannot be overridden because
subclasses do not inherit them.

84) Can we change the scope of the overridden method in the subclass?
Yes, we can change the scope of the overridden method in the subclass. However, we must
notice that we cannot decrease the accessibility of the method. The following point must be
taken care of while changing the accessibility of the method.
o The private access specifier can be changed to protected, public, or default.
o The protected access specifier can be changed to public or default.
o The default access specifier can be changed to public.
 o The public access specifier will always remain public.

85) Can we modify the throws clause of the superclass method while overriding it in the
subclass?
Yes, we can modify the throws clause of the superclass method while overriding it in the
subclass. However, there are some rules that are to be followed while overriding in case of
exception handling.
o If the superclass method does not declare an exception, the subclass's overridden
method cannot declare a checked exception, but it can declare an unchecked
exception.
o If the superclass method declares an exception, the subclass overridden method can
declare the same, a subclass exception, or no exception, but cannot declare a parent
exception.

86) What is the output of the following Java program?

Example
1. class Base
2. {
3. void method(int a)
4. {
5. [Link]("Base class method called with integer a = "+a);
6. }
7. void method(double d)
8. {
9. [Link]("Base class method called with double d ="+d);
10. }
11. }
12. class Derived extends Base
13. {
14. @Override
15. void method(double d)
16. {
17. [Link]("Derived class method called with double d ="+d);
 18. }
19. }
20. public class Main
21. {
22. public static void main(String[] args)
23. {
24. new Derived().method(10);
25. }
26. }
27. }
Output
Base class method called with integer a = 10
Explanation
The method() is overloaded in class Base, whereas it is derived in class Derived with the
double type as the parameter. In the method call, the integer is passed.

87) Can you have virtual functions in Java?

Yes, all functions in Java are virtual by default. It means that method invocation is
determined at runtime based on the actual type of the object on which the method is called.
So, while the term "virtual" is not explicitly used in Java, the concept is present through the
mechanism of dynamic method dispatch and method overriding.
To read more: Virtual Function in Java

88) What is a covariant return type?

Since Java 5, it is possible to override any method by changing the return type if the return
type of the subclass overriding method is a subclass type. It is known as a covariant return
type. The covariant return type specifies that the return type may vary in the same direction as
the subclass.
Example
1. class A {
2. A get(){return this;}
3. }
4. class Main extends A {
 5. Main get() {
6. return this; }
7. void message() {
8. [Link]("Welcome to the covariant return type");}
9. public static void main(String args[]){
10. new Main().get().message();
11. }
12. }
Output
Welcome to the covariant return type
To read more: Covariant Return Type in Java

89) What is the output of the following Java program?

Example
1. class Base
2. {
3. public void baseMethod()
4. {
5. [Link]("BaseMethod called ...");
6. }
7. }
8. class Derived extends Base
9. {
10. public void baseMethod()
11. {
12. [Link]("Derived method called ...");
13. }
14. }
15. public class Main
16. {
 17. public static void main (String args[])
18. {
19. Base b = new Derived();
20. [Link]();
21. }
22. }
Output
Derived method called ...
Explanation
The method of a Base class, i.e., baseMethod(), is overridden in the derived class. In the Main
class, the reference variable b (of type Base class) refers to the instance of the Derived class.
Here, Runtime polymorphism is achieved between the class Base and Derived.
At compile time, the presence of method baseMethod() is checked in the Base class; if its
presence is then the program is compiled, otherwise a compiler error will be shown. In this
case, baseMethod() is present in the Base class; therefore, it is compiled successfully.
However, at runtime, it checks whether the baseMethod() has been overridden by the Derived
class; if so, then the Derived class method is called, otherwise the Base class method is
called. In this case, the Derived class overrides the baseMethod(); therefore, the Derived class
method is called.

Core Java - OOPs Concepts: final keyword Interview Questions

90) What is the final variable?

In Java, the final variable is used to restrict the user from updating it. If we initialize the final
variable, we cannot change its value. The final keyword is used to declare a final variable. In
other words, we can say that the final variable, once assigned to a value, can never be
changed after that. The final variable, which is not assigned to any value, can only be
assigned through the class constructor.
1. class Main {
2. final int speedlimit=90;//final variable
3. void run(){
4. speedlimit=400;
5. }
6. public static void main(String args[]){
 7. Main obj=new Main();
8. [Link]();
9. }
10. }//end of class
Output:
Compile Time Error
To read more: final Variable in Java

91) What is the final method?

If we change any method to a final method, we cannot override it. In Java, a final method is a
method that subclasses cannot override. When a method is declared as final in a superclass, it
means that no subclass can provide a different implementation for that method.
1. class Bike{
2. final void run(){[Link]("running");}
3. }
4. class Main extends Bike{
5. void run(){[Link]("running safely with 100kmph");}
6. public static void main(String args[]){
7. Main obj = new Main();
8. [Link]();
9. }
10. }
Output:
Compile Time Error

92) What is the final class?

If we make a class final, we cannot inherit it into any of the subclasses.
In Java, a final class is a class that cannot be subclassed. When a class is declared as final, it
means that no other class can extend (inherit from) it.
1. final class Bike{}
2. class Main extends Bike{
 3. void run(){[Link]("running safely with 100kmph");}
4. public static void main(String args[]){
5. Main obj = new Main();
6. [Link]();
7. }
8. }
Output:
Compile Time Error
To read more: Fina Keyword in Java

93) What is the final blank variable?

In Java, a final blank variable refers to a blank final variable that has not been initialized at
the time of declaration but must be initialized exactly once before it is used. The term "blank"
implies that the variable is declared without an initial value. It is useful in the case when the
user has some data that must not be changed by others, for example, the PAN Number.
Consider the following example:
1. class Student{
2. int id;
3. String name;
4. final String PAN_CARD_NUMBER;
5. ...
6. }
To read more: Blank final in Java

94) Can we initialize the final blank variable?

Yes, if it is not static, we can initialize it in the constructor. If it is a static, blank final
variable, it can be initialized only in the static block.

95) Can we declare the main() method as final?

Yes, we can declare the main() method as public static final void main(String[] args){}. it is
technically allowed to declare the main method as final, but it would not have any impact or
special significance. The final keyword, when applied to a method, indicates that subclasses
cannot override the method.
96) What is the output of the following Java program?
1. class Main {
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. final int i;
4. i = 20;
5. [Link](i);
6. }
7. }
Output
20
Explanation
Since i is the blank final variable, it can be initialized only once. We have initialized it to 20.
Therefore, 20 will be printed.

97) What is the output of the following Java program?

1. class Base
2. {
3. protected final void getInfo()
4. {
5. [Link]("method of Base class");
6. }
7. }
8. public class Derived extends Base
9. {
10. protected final void getInfo()
11. {
12. [Link]("method of Derived class");
13. }
14. public static void main(String[] args)
15. {
 16. Base obj = new Base();
17. [Link]();
18. }
19. }
Output
[Link]: error: getInfo() in Main cannot override getInfo() in Base
protected final void getInfo()
^
overridden method is final
1 error
Explanation
The getDetails() method is final; therefore, it cannot be overridden in the subclass.

98) Can we declare a constructor as final?

No, constructors cannot be declared as final in Java because it is never inherited. Constructors
are not ordinary methods; therefore, there is no sense in declaring constructors as final.
However, if we try to do so, the compiler will throw an error.

99) Can we declare an interface as final?

No, we cannot declare an interface as final because some class must implement the interface
to provide its definition. The whole idea of an interface is to provide a contract that classes
can implement. Making an interface final would defeat the purpose of allowing classes to
implement it. However, if we try to do so, the compiler will show an error.

100) What are the differences between the final method and the abstract method?
Final method: A final method in a class cannot be overridden by subclasses. Once a method
is declared final, it cannot be modified or overridden by any subclass.
Abstract method: An abstract method is a method declared in an abstract class or interface
that has no implementation in the class/interface where it is declared. Subclasses or
implementing classes must provide a concrete implementation for abstract methods.
The main difference between the final method and abstract method is that the abstract method
cannot be final, as we need to override it in the subclass to give its definition.