CoreJava-9 - OOP - Abstraction

  

Abstraction

Abstraction is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming (OOP), including the Java programming language. It refers to the process of simplifying complex reality by modelling classes, objects, or systems with well-defined and simplified interfaces. In other words, abstraction allows you to hide the unnecessary details of an object or system's internal workings while exposing only the essential features.

In Java, abstraction is achieved using abstract classes and interfaces. An abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated on its own and may contain abstract methods (methods without a body) that must be implemented by its subclasses. An interface is a collection of abstract methods that a class can implement, allowing multiple inheritance of behaviour.

Benefits of Abstraction:

  1. Encapsulation: Abstraction promotes encapsulation, which means the internal implementation details are hidden from the outside world, reducing complexity and improving security.
  2. Code Reusability: Abstract classes and interfaces allow for code reusability by defining common methods that can be shared among multiple classes.
  3. Modularity: Abstraction encourages modular design by breaking down complex systems into manageable and distinct parts.

Real-Life Example:

Let's consider a real-life scenario of a banking system. We'll create an abstraction for bank accounts using Java's abstract classes and interfaces.

// Abstract class representing a Bank Account

abstract class BankAccount {

    private String accountNumber;

    private double balance;

 

    public BankAccount(String accountNumber) {

        this.accountNumber = accountNumber;

        this.balance = 0.0;

    }

 

    public String getAccountNumber() {

        return accountNumber;

    }

 

    public double getBalance() {

        return balance;

    }

 

    // Abstract method for withdrawing funds

    public abstract void withdraw(double amount);

 

    // Abstract method for depositing funds

    public abstract void deposit(double amount);

}

 

// Concrete class representing a Savings Account

class SavingsAccount extends BankAccount {

    private double interestRate;

 

    public SavingsAccount(String accountNumber, double interestRate) {

        super(accountNumber);

        this.interestRate = interestRate;

    }

 

    @Override

    public void withdraw(double amount) {

        if (amount <= getBalance()) {

            // Perform withdrawal

            // Deduct amount from balance

        } else {

            System.out.println("Insufficient balance.");

        }

    }

 

    @Override

    public void deposit(double amount) {

        // Perform deposit

        // Add amount to balance

    }

 

    // Additional methods specific to SavingsAccount

    public double calculateInterest() {

        return getBalance() * interestRate;

    }

}

 

// Interface representing a Loan Account

interface LoanAccount {

    void applyForLoan(double amount);

    void makeLoanPayment(double amount);

}

 

// Concrete class representing a Personal Loan Account

class PersonalLoanAccount extends BankAccount implements LoanAccount {

    private double loanAmount;

 

    public PersonalLoanAccount(String accountNumber, double loanAmount) {

        super(accountNumber);

        this.loanAmount = loanAmount;

    }

 

    @Override

    public void withdraw(double amount) {

        System.out.println("Cannot withdraw from a loan account.");

    }

 

    @Override

    public void deposit(double amount) {

        System.out.println("Cannot deposit into a loan account.");

    }

 

    @Override

    public void applyForLoan(double amount) {

        if (amount <= loanAmount) {

            // Process loan application

            // Deduct loan amount from available loan balance

        } else {

            System.out.println("Loan amount exceeds available balance.");

        }

    }

 

    @Override

    public void makeLoanPayment(double amount) {

        // Process loan payment

        // Reduce loan amount by the payment made

    }

}

 

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        SavingsAccount savingsAccount = new SavingsAccount("SA12345", 0.05);

        PersonalLoanAccount loanAccount = new PersonalLoanAccount("PLA98765", 10000.0);

 

        // Usage of methods defined by abstraction

        savingsAccount.deposit(2000);

        savingsAccount.withdraw(500);

        double interest = savingsAccount.calculateInterest();

        System.out.println("Interest earned: $" + interest);

 

        loanAccount.applyForLoan(5000);

        loanAccount.makeLoanPayment(1000);

    }

}

 

In this example, BankAccount is an abstract class that defines common attributes and methods for bank accounts. SavingsAccount and PersonalLoanAccount are concrete classes that extend the BankAccount class and implement specific behaviors. The LoanAccount interface provides a contract for loan-related operations.

Through abstraction, the implementation details of each account type are hidden, and the usage of accounts is simplified through well-defined methods and interfaces. This allows for code reusability and modularity while maintaining the necessary separation of concerns.

1. What is abstraction in Java, and why is it important in object-oriented programming?

Answer: Abstraction in Java refers to the process of simplifying complex reality by modelling classes, objects, or systems with well-defined and simplified interfaces. It involves hiding the unnecessary details and exposing only the essential features. In Java, abstraction is achieved through abstract classes and interfaces.

Abstraction is crucial in object-oriented programming because it promotes modularity, encapsulation, and code reusability. It allows developers to focus on essential functionalities without worrying about implementation details. By defining abstract classes and interfaces, developers can create a clear separation of concerns, making code maintenance and scalability easier.

Question 2: What is the difference between an abstract class and an interface in Java?

Answer: Both abstract classes and interfaces are used for achieving abstraction, but they have differences:

·         An abstract class can have both abstract and concrete methods, while an interface can only have abstract methods except for default and static methods with Java 8.

·         An abstract class can have instance variables with any access modifier, while interface variables are implicitly public, static, and final.

·         A class can extend only one abstract class, but it can implement multiple interfaces.

·         An abstract class provides a partial implementation, allowing code reuse, while an interface defines a contract that implementing classes must adhere to.

·         An abstract class can have constructors, while an interface cannot.

Question 3: How do you achieve multiple inheritance in Java using interfaces?

Answer: Java doesn't support multiple inheritance through classes (i.e., a class can't extend multiple classes). However, multiple inheritance can be achieved using interfaces. A class can implement multiple interfaces, inheriting the method signatures from all the implemented interfaces. This allows a class to inherit behaviors from multiple sources.

For example:

interface A {

    void methodA();

}

 

interface B {

    void methodB();

}

 

class MyClass implements A, B {

    @Override

    public void methodA() {

        // Implement methodA

    }

 

    @Override

    public void methodB() {

        // Implement methodB

    }

}

Question 4: When would you use an abstract class over an interface, and vice versa?

Answer: The choice between using an abstract class and an interface depends on the scenario:

·         Use an abstract class when you want to provide a common base with some default implementations for subclasses. This is useful when you want to share code among closely related classes and enforce a certain structure.

·         Use an interface when you want to define a contract that multiple unrelated classes can adhere to. Interfaces are suitable for achieving multiple inheritance and are ideal when you want to ensure a specific set of methods are implemented across different classes.

Question 5: Can you provide an example of using abstraction to model a real-world scenario?

Answer: Sure! Let's consider a real-world scenario of different types of vehicles.

interface Vehicle {

    void start();

    void stop();

}

 

class Car implements Vehicle {

    @Override

    public void start() {

        // Start car engine

    }

 

    @Override

    public void stop() {

        // Stop car engine

    }

}

 

class Bicycle implements Vehicle {

    @Override

    public void start() {

        // Start pedaling

    }

 

    @Override

    public void stop() {

        // Stop pedaling

    }

}

 

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        Vehicle car = new Car();

        Vehicle bicycle = new Bicycle();

 

        car.start();

        car.stop();

 

        bicycle.start();

        bicycle.stop();

    }

}

 

In this example, the Vehicle interface defines the common methods start() and stop(). The Car and Bicycle classes implement the Vehicle interface, providing their own implementations for starting and stopping. This abstraction allows you to treat different types of vehicles uniformly, focusing on their common behaviours rather than implementation details.

Question 6: Can an abstract class have a constructor? If so, how can you invoke it in a subclass?

Answer: Yes, an abstract class can have a constructor. Constructors in abstract classes are used to initialize common properties of the subclass. When a subclass is instantiated, its constructor can invoke the constructor of the abstract class using the super() keyword.

abstract class AbstractClass {

    int value;

 

    AbstractClass(int value) {

        this.value = value;

    }

 

    abstract void displayValue();

}

 

class ConcreteClass extends AbstractClass {

    ConcreteClass(int value) {

        super(value);

    }

 

    @Override

    void displayValue() {

        System.out.println("Value: " + value);

    }

}

 

Question 7: Can you create an instance of an abstract class in Java? Why or why not?

Answer: No, you cannot create an instance of an abstract class in Java. Abstract classes are incomplete and are meant to be subclassed. They may contain abstract methods without implementations that must be overridden by concrete subclasses. Since abstract classes have undefined behaviour for these abstract methods, it's not possible to create instances of them directly.

 

 

Question 8: How does abstraction promote code reusability in Java?

Answer: Abstraction promotes code reusability by allowing you to define common behaviors and methods in abstract classes or interfaces. Subclasses or classes implementing interfaces can then inherit and reuse these common methods without having to redefine them. This approach reduces duplication of code, promotes a modular design, and simplifies maintenance.

Question 9: Can an interface extend another interface? If yes, how does it affect the implementing class?

Answer: Yes, an interface can extend another interface using the extends keyword. When an interface extends another interface, the extending interface inherits the abstract methods of the parent interface. Any class implementing the child interface is required to provide implementations for all the abstract methods from both interfaces.

interface Parent {

    void methodA();

}

 

interface Child extends Parent {

    void methodB();

}

 

class ImplementingClass implements Child {

    @Override

    public void methodA() {

        // Implementation for methodA

    }

 

    @Override

    public void methodB() {

        // Implementation for methodB

    }

}

 

Question 10: Explain the concept of the "is-a" relationship in abstraction and how it's used in Java.

Answer: The "is-a" relationship is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming where one class is considered a subtype of another class. It signifies inheritance or subclassing. In Java, this relationship is used to establish the connection between an abstract class (parent class) and its concrete subclasses. The concrete subclasses "are-a" type of the abstract class.

For example, in the code below, SavingsAccount "is-a" type of BankAccount:

abstract class BankAccount {

    // Common methods and attributes

}

 

class SavingsAccount extends BankAccount {

    // Specific methods and attributes for savings accounts

}

The "is-a" relationship forms the basis of polymorphism and allows instances of subclasses to be treated as instances of their parent class, facilitating code flexibility and modularity.

Question 11: How can you achieve abstraction without using abstract classes or interfaces in Java?

Answer: While abstract classes and interfaces are the primary mechanisms for achieving abstraction in Java, you can also achieve a certain level of abstraction using regular classes and methods. By designing classes with well-defined responsibilities and providing public methods that encapsulate the internal implementation details, you can hide complexities and expose only necessary functionalities.

class Calculator {

    public double add(double num1, double num2) {

        return num1 + num2;

    }

 

    public double subtract(double num1, double num2) {

        return num1 - num2;

    }

}

 

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        Calculator calculator = new Calculator();

        double result = calculator.add(10.5, 5.3);

        System.out.println("Result: " + result);

    }

}

 

In this example, the Calculator class abstracts the addition and subtraction operations, providing a simplified interface to the user.

Question 12: How does abstraction contribute to the concept of polymorphism in Java?

Answer: Abstraction and polymorphism are closely related concepts in object-oriented programming. Abstraction allows you to define common interfaces and behaviours, while polymorphism allows instances of different classes to be treated as instances of a common superclass or interface. By using abstraction through abstract classes and interfaces, you define a contract that subclasses or implementing classes must adhere to. This contract ensures that different implementations can be used interchangeably, promoting polymorphism. Whenever we write the code that operates on the abstract type (e.g., using interfaces or abstract classes as references), we can switch between various concrete implementations without affecting the behaviour of our code.

Question 13: How can you prevent the instantiation of an abstract class in Java?

Answer: You can prevent the instantiation of an abstract class in Java by declaring the class as abstract using the abstract keyword. Abstract classes cannot be directly instantiated; they serve as a blueprint for concrete subclasses to extend.

abstract class AbstractClass {

    // Abstract methods and/or concrete methods

}

 

class ConcreteClass extends AbstractClass {

    // Implementations of abstract and concrete methods

}

 

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        // Cannot instantiate an abstract class directly

        // AbstractClass instance = new AbstractClass(); // This will result in a compilation error

        AbstractClass instance = new ConcreteClass(); // Valid

    }

}

 

In this example, you cannot create an instance of AbstractClass, but you can create an instance of ConcreteClass that extends it.

 

 

Question 14: Can an abstract class have both abstract and non-abstract (concrete) methods?

Answer: Yes, an abstract class can have both abstract and non-abstract methods. An abstract method is a method without a body that must be overridden by concrete subclasses. A non-abstract method in an abstract class has a defined implementation and can be used as-is or optionally overridden by subclasses.

abstract class MyAbstractClass {

    abstract void abstractMethod(); // Abstract method without implementation

 

    void nonAbstractMethod() {

        // Concrete implementation

    }

}

 

In this example, abstractMethod() is an abstract method, while nonAbstractMethod() is a non-abstract (concrete) method.

Question 15: How does abstraction relate to the concept of encapsulation in Java?

Answer: Abstraction and encapsulation are two key principles of object-oriented programming, and they are closely related.

·         Abstraction: Abstraction focuses on hiding unnecessary details and exposing only essential features. It involves defining abstract classes, interfaces, and methods to create a clear separation between the external interface of a class and its internal implementation.

·         Encapsulation: Encapsulation is the practice of bundling the data (attributes) and methods (functions) that operate on the data into a single unit, known as a class. It involves using access modifiers to restrict the access to certain components, promoting information hiding and preventing direct manipulation of data from outside the class.

 

In Java, abstraction and encapsulation work together to achieve well-designed, modular, and maintainable code. Abstraction hides the complex implementation details, while encapsulation ensures that the internal state of an object can only be accessed and modified through controlled methods, enhancing data integrity and security.

Question 16: explain the difference between a class and an Interface?

Class: A class is a fundamental building block in object-oriented programming (OOP). It serves as a blueprint for creating objects, which are instances of that class. A class defines the structure and behavior of objects by specifying attributes (fields) and methods. Here are the key characteristics of a class:

  1. Instance Creation: You can create multiple instances (objects) of a class using the new keyword. Objects encapsulate data (attributes) and methods that operate on that data.
  2. Constructor: A class can have a constructor that initializes the object's state when it's created.
  3. Fields (Attributes): A class can have fields (instance variables) to store data that's specific to each object of the class.
  4. Methods: A class can have methods (functions) that define its behavior. Methods can access and manipulate the object's attributes.
  5. Inheritance: Classes can inherit attributes and methods from a parent class, allowing for code reuse and hierarchical relationships.
  6. Access Modifiers: Fields and methods within a class can have access modifiers (public, private, protected, default) to control their visibility.

Interface:

An interface is a reference type in Java, similar to a class that defines a contract for classes that implement it. It specifies a set of abstract methods that must be implemented by any class that claims to conform to the interface. Here are the key characteristics of an interface:

  1. Abstract Methods: An interface only contains abstract methods (methods without a body) that define what actions a class implementing the interface must support.
  2. Multiple Inheritance: A class can implement multiple interfaces. This allows a class to inherit behavior from multiple sources, facilitating a form of multiple inheritance.
  3. No Constructor or Fields: Interfaces cannot have constructors or fields (instance variables). They define behavior but do not provide implementation details.
  4. Full Abstraction: Interfaces represent full abstraction, as they define a contract without providing any implementation. Classes implementing an interface must provide the implementation.
  5. Default Methods (Java 8+): Interfaces can have default methods, which provide a default implementation for a method. Classes implementing the interface can use or override these methods.
  6. Access Modifiers: All methods in an interface are implicitly public and abstract (before Java 8) or public and default (with default methods).

In summary, a class is a blueprint for creating objects with fields and methods, while an interface defines a contract for classes to implement specific behaviour. Classes can implement multiple interfaces but can extend only one class. Interfaces are useful for achieving multiple inheritance, enforcing contracts, and creating loosely coupled systems.

Question 17: explain the difference between Encapsulation and Abstraction?

Encapsulation:

Encapsulation is a principle that involves bundling the data (attributes) and methods (functions) that operate on the data into a single unit, known as a class. The key idea behind encapsulation is to restrict direct access to the internal state of an object and provide controlled access through methods. This helps in achieving data hiding, protecting data integrity, and allowing changes to be made to the internal implementation without affecting the external code that uses the class.

Key Characteristics of Encapsulation:

  1. Access Modifiers: Access modifiers like private, protected, and public are used to control the visibility of fields and methods within a class. This restricts external access and allows the class to define controlled points of interaction with the data.
  2. Data Hiding: By making fields private and providing getter and setter methods, encapsulation hides the internal details of the object's state from external code. This prevents unauthorized modification of data and ensures data consistency.
  3. Information Hiding: Encapsulation encapsulates both data and the implementation details of methods. This way, the internal workings of the class can be changed without affecting code that uses the class.

Abstraction:

Abstraction is a process of simplifying complex reality by modelling classes, objects, or systems with well-defined and simplified interfaces. It involves hiding the unnecessary details and exposing only the essential features. Abstraction allows you to create models that focus on the core functionalities and ignore the implementation specifics.

Key Characteristics of Abstraction:

  1. Abstract Classes: Abstract classes define a common base for a group of related classes. They can include both abstract (unimplemented) methods and concrete (implemented) methods.
  2. Interfaces: Interfaces define contracts for classes to implement a specific set of methods. They provide a way to achieve multiple inheritance and ensure that classes adhere to certain behaviors.
  3. Method Signatures: In both abstract classes and interfaces, methods can be declared without providing implementations, leaving the implementation details to the subclasses or classes implementing the interface.

Question 18: Difference between Encapsulation and Abstraction:

  1. Focus:
    • Encapsulation focuses on controlling access to data and methods within a class to ensure data integrity and encapsulate implementation details.
    • Abstraction focuses on defining a simplified, well-defined interface that hides complex implementation details and presents only the essential features.
  2. Purpose:
    • Encapsulation aims to protect and manage the state of objects and promote information hiding.
    • Abstraction aims to simplify the complexity of a system by modelling only the relevant aspects and ignoring unnecessary details.
  3. Level of Detail:
    • Encapsulation is concerned with both data and methods and how they interact within a class.
    • Abstraction is concerned with providing a high-level view of the system's behaviour and functionalities.

In summary, encapsulation is about controlling access and protecting data, while abstraction is about simplifying complexity and defining clear interfaces for interaction.

 

 

 

Question 18: What is the need of introducing default and static methods with examples in interfaces in Java 8?

In Java 8, default methods and static methods were introduced in interfaces to provide additional flexibility and utility to the language. Let's understand the need for these features with examples:

Default Methods:

Need: Before Java 8, once an interface was published, you couldn't change it without breaking the classes that implemented it. This posed a problem when you wanted to add new methods to an existing interface, as it would require modifying all the implementing classes. Default methods were introduced to solve this issue by allowing interfaces to provide a default implementation for methods.

Example: Consider an interface Shape that represents various shapes. Later, you want to add a method to calculate the perimeter of shapes. Without default methods, you would need to update all implementing classes. With default methods, you can provide a default implementation in the interface itself, and implementing classes can choose to override it if needed.

interface Shape {

    double calculateArea();

   

    default double calculatePerimeter() {

        return 0.0; // Default implementation

    }

}

 

class Circle implements Shape {

    double radius;

 

    public Circle(double radius) {

        this.radius = radius;

    }

 

    @Override

    public double calculateArea() {

        return Math.PI * radius * radius;

    }

   

    @Override

    public double calculatePerimeter() {

        return 2 * Math.PI * radius;

    }

}

 

class Square implements Shape {

    double side;

 

    public Square(double side) {

        this.side = side;

    }

 

    @Override

    public double calculateArea() {

        return side * side;

    }

}

 

In this example, calculatePerimeter() is a default method in the Shape interface. The Circle class overrides it, while the Square class doesn't, using the default implementation.

Static Methods:

Need: Prior to Java 8, interfaces could only declare abstract methods, which meant you couldn't include static methods that belong to the interface itself. Static methods in interfaces are introduced to provide utility methods that are related to the interface, even though they don't depend on the specific implementation.

Example: Consider an interface Math Operations that defines static methods for common mathematical operations like square and cube. These methods are logically related to the interface, and they can be made available to all classes implementing the interface without any implementation burden.

interface MathOperations {

    static int square(int num) {

        return num * num;

    }

   

    static int cube(int num) {

        return num * num * num;

    }

}

 

class NumberProcessor implements MathOperations {

    public void process(int num) {

        int squared = square(num);

        int cubed = cube(num);

        // Rest of the processing

    }

}

 

In this example, the MathOperations interface defines static methods square() and cube(). The NumberProcessor class can directly use these methods without implementing them.

In summary, default methods and static methods in interfaces were introduced in Java 8 to address the limitations of modifying existing interfaces and to provide utility methods that are logically related to the interface. They enhance the flexibility and extensibility of interfaces without breaking existing code.

Question 18: What is the need of introducing interfaces when we have Classes?

The introduction of interfaces in Java was motivated by the need to address certain limitations and achieve specific design goals that classes alone couldn't fulfill. While both classes and interfaces have their distinct roles, interfaces provide several benefits that complement the capabilities of classes. Let's explore the reasons for introducing interfaces when we already have classes:

·         Multiple Inheritance: One of the primary reasons for introducing interfaces is to allow multiple inheritance of behavior. Unlike classes, which can only extend a single class, a class can implement multiple interfaces. This enables a class to inherit and implement multiple sets of behaviors, promoting code reusability and flexibility. This is particularly useful when a class needs to inherit behaviors from unrelated sources.

·         Loose Coupling: Interfaces promote loose coupling between different components of a system. By programming to interfaces rather than concrete classes, you create a separation between the contract (interface) and the implementation. This allows for easier maintenance and modification of code without affecting other parts of the system.

·         Contract and Abstraction: Interfaces define a contract that implementing classes must adhere to. This contract ensures that classes provide specific methods and behaviors. This level of abstraction helps in designing systems where components can interact based on well-defined interfaces without needing to know the specific implementation details.

·         API Design and Standardization: Interfaces are commonly used to define APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). By using interfaces to define a set of methods that should be supported, you ensure a standardized way for different parts of a system to communicate. This allows multiple teams to work independently as long as they adhere to the specified interface.

·         Testing and Mocking: Interfaces are valuable for testing and mocking. When you program against interfaces, you can easily replace actual implementations with mock implementations for unit testing. This helps isolate and test individual components of a system.

·         Extending Existing Classes: Interfaces allow you to add functionality to existing classes without changing their hierarchy. You can create new interfaces and implement them in existing classes to introduce new behaviors without affecting the original class structure.

·         Future Compatibility: Interfaces allow you to add new methods to existing interfaces without breaking classes that implement them. This is achieved through default methods, which provide default implementations for new methods. This prevents the need to modify all implementing classes when extending interfaces.

 

In summary, while classes provide a blueprint for objects and encapsulate data and behavior, interfaces serve as contracts that define specific behaviors that classes must implement. The introduction of interfaces complements classes by allowing for multiple inheritance, promoting loose coupling, defining standardized interactions, facilitating testing, and enabling future compatibility. Both classes and interfaces play essential roles in creating flexible, maintainable, and extensible software systems.

Example: Messaging Application

Imagine you are developing a messaging application that supports multiple messaging services, such as SMS, Email, and Social Media Messaging (e.g., Facebook Messenger). Each messaging service has different functionalities and behaviors, but they all share some common actions like sending messages and receiving messages.

Using Classes:

If you were to design this application using only classes, you might have a class hierarchy like this:

class MessageService {

    void sendMessage(String recipient, String message) {

        // Implementation for sending messages

    }

 

    void receiveMessage(String sender, String message) {

        // Implementation for receiving messages

    }

}

 

class SMSService extends MessageService {

    // Specific implementation for SMS messaging

}

 

class EmailService extends MessageService {

    // Specific implementation for Email messaging

}

 

class SocialMediaService extends MessageService {

    // Specific implementation for Social Media messaging

}

 

However, using this approach, you'll face a few challenges:

·         Rigidity: If you want to add a new messaging service in the future, you'd have to modify the existing class hierarchy, potentially affecting the functionality of other services.

·         Code Reuse: Some methods like sendMessage and receiveMessage are common to all services, but there's no standardized way to ensure they are implemented consistently across all classes.

 

Using Interfaces: Now let's see how interfaces can address these challenges:

interface MessageService {

    void sendMessage(String recipient, String message);

 

    void receiveMessage(String sender, String message);

}

 

class SMSService implements MessageService {

    @Override

    public void sendMessage(String recipient, String message) {

        // Implementation for sending SMS

    }

 

    @Override

    public void receiveMessage(String sender, String message) {

        // Implementation for receiving SMS

    }

}

 

class EmailService implements MessageService {

    @Override

    public void sendMessage(String recipient, String message) {

        // Implementation for sending Email

    }

 

    @Override

    public void receiveMessage(String sender, String message) {

        // Implementation for receiving Email

    }

}

 

class SocialMediaService implements MessageService {

    @Override

    public void sendMessage(String recipient, String message) {

        // Implementation for sending Social Media message

    }

 

    @Override

    public void receiveMessage(String sender, String message) {

        // Implementation for receiving Social Media message

    }

}

 

With interfaces, you gain the following benefits:

·         Flexibility: You can easily add new messaging services by implementing the Message Service interface, without modifying existing code.

·         Code Reuse: Interfaces provide a standardized contract for implementing the common methods, ensuring consistent behavior across different messaging services.

·         Loose Coupling: Clients of the messaging services can interact with them based on the Message Service interface, promoting loose coupling and allowing for easier integration and testing.

·         Future Compatibility: If you need to introduce new methods in the Message Service interface, you can do so using default methods without breaking existing implementations.

In this example, interfaces help achieve modularity, code reusability, flexibility, and future compatibility, making the messaging application more maintainable and extensible.

 

 

Question 19: With java 8, is it a must to define all the methods of an interface in the class that implements it?

No, with the introduction of default methods in Java 8, it is not necessary to define all the methods of an interface in the class that implements it. Java 8 introduced default methods to allow you to provide default implementations for methods in an interface. This enables you to add new methods to an existing interface without breaking the classes that implement it.

Here's a breakdown of the scenarios related to interface methods and their implementations in classes:

  1. Abstract Methods: These are the methods declared in the interface without any implementation. When a class implements an interface, it must provide concrete implementations for all the abstract methods in the interface.
  2. Default Methods: These are methods declared in the interface with a default implementation. A class that implements the interface can choose to use the default implementation provided by the interface or override it with its own implementation.
  3. Static Methods: These are methods declared in the interface with the static keyword. They belong to the interface itself and do not need to be implemented in the implementing class. They can be directly called using the interface name.

In summary, if an interface includes only abstract methods, the implementing class must provide concrete implementations for all those methods. However, if the interface includes default methods, the implementing class can choose to override them or use the default implementations. Static methods in an interface do not require implementation in the implementing class, as they are not associated with instance-level behavior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignments:

Coding Question 1: Abstract Class Inheritance Description: Create an abstract class Shape with methods to calculate area and perimeter. Implement subclasses Circle and Rectangle that inherit from Shape.

Algorithm:

  1. Define an abstract class Shape with abstract methods calculateArea() and calculatePerimeter().
  2. Define subclasses Circle and Rectangle that extend Shape.
  3. Implement the abstract methods in each subclass.

Coding Question 2: Interface Implementation Description: Create an interface Drawable with a method draw(). Implement classes Circle and Square that implement Drawable.

Algorithm:

  1. Define an interface Drawable with an abstract method draw().
  2. Implement classes Circle and Square that implement the Drawable interface.
  3. Provide concrete implementations of the draw() method in each class.

Continue in the same pattern with the following questions:

Coding Question 3: Bank Account Abstraction Description: Create an abstract class BankAccount with methods for deposit, withdrawal, and balance inquiry. Implement subclasses SavingsAccount and CheckingAccount.

Coding Question 4: Vehicle Abstraction Description: Create an interface Vehicle with methods for starting and stopping. Implement classes Car and Motorcycle that implement the Vehicle interface.

Coding Question 5: Employee Abstraction Description: Create an abstract class Employee with methods for calculating salary. Implement subclasses FullTimeEmployee and PartTimeEmployee.

Coding Question 6: Online Shopping Cart Description: Implement an online shopping cart system using abstraction, with classes for Product, Cart, and User.

Coding Question 7: Geometric Shapes Description: Implement a program that stores and manages a collection of different geometric shapes using abstraction.

Coding Question 8: School Management System Description: Create an abstraction for a school management system with classes for Person, Student, Teacher, and Course.

Coding Question 9: Library Management System Description: Implement a library management system using abstraction, with classes for Library, Book, and Member.

Coding Question 10: Banking Transactions Description: Implement a program that simulates banking transactions using abstraction, with classes for Bank, Account, and Transaction.

For each of these coding questions, you'll need to design appropriate classes, methods, and relationships to achieve the desired abstraction and functionality.

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