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Differences between abstract class and interface in Java
In Java, abstraction is achieved using Abstract classes and interfaces. Both contains abstract methods which a child class or implementing class has to implement. Following are the important differences between abstract class and an interface.
| Sr. No. | Key | Abstract Class | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Supported Methods | Abstract class can have both an abstract as well as concrete methods. | Interface can have only abstract methods. Java 8 onwards, it can have default as well as static methods. |
| 2 | Multiple Inheritance | Multiple Inheritance is not supported. | Interface supports Multiple Inheritance. |
| 3 | Supported Variables | final, non-final, static and non-static variables supported. | Only static and final variables are permitted. |
| 4 | Implementation | Abstract class can implement an interface. | Interface can not implement an interface, it can extend an interface. |
| 5 | Keyword | Abstract class declared using abstract keyword. | Interface is declared using interface keyword. |
| 6 | Inheritance | Abstract class can inherit another class using extends keyword and implement an interface. | Interface can inherit only an inteface. |
| 7 | Inheritance | Abstract class can be inherited using extends keyword. | Interface can only be implemented using implements keyword. |
| 8 | Access | Abstract class can have any type of members like private, public. | Interface can only have public members. |
Example of Abstract Class vs Interface
public class JavaTester {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Animal tiger = new Tiger();
tiger.eat();
Cat lion = new Lion();
lion.eat();
}
}
interface Animal {
public void eat();
}
class Tiger implements Animal {
public void eat(){
System.out.println("Tiger eats");
}
}
abstract class Cat {
abstract public void eat();
}
class Lion extends Cat{
public void eat(){
System.out.println("Lion eats");
}
}
Output
Tiger eats Lion eats
Updated on: 08-Dec-2023
4K+ Views
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