Class and Object in Java

Instructor: Adil Ahmad

Email: adil.ahmad@numl.edu.pk
 What is a Class?
• A class is a blueprint or template for creating objects.
• It defines properties (fields/attributes) and behaviors (methods) of objects.
• Example of a class in Java:

class Car {
String brand;
int speed;
void display() {
System.out.println("Brand: " + brand + ",
Speed: " + speed); }
}
 What is an Object?
• An object is an instance of a class.
• It has state (attributes) and behavior (methods).
• Objects occupy memory and interact with each other.
• Example of object creation in Java:

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {
Car myCar = new Car();
myCar.brand = "Toyota";
myCar.speed = 120;
myCar.display();
}
}
 Creating and Using Objects
Steps to create an object:
1. Declare the class.
2. Create an object using new keyword.
3. Assign values to object properties.
4. Call methods of the object.
Example:

Person person1 = new Person();

person1.name = "John";
person1.age = 25;
person1.displayInfo();
 Constructor in Java
What is a constructor?
• A special method used to initialize objects.
• It has the same name as the class and no return type.
• Constructors are automatically called when an object is created.
• They help in setting initial values for object attributes.
 Constructor in Java
Example:

class Person {
String name;
int age;

Person(String n, int a) {
// Constructor
name = n;
age = a;
}
void display() {
System.out.println("Name: " + name + ", Age: " + age);
}
}
 Constructor Example

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {
Person p1 = new Person("Alice", 30);
p1.display();
}
}
 Introduction to Overloading
What is Overloading?
• Overloading in Java allows multiple methods with the same name but
different parameters.
• Improves code readability and reusability.
• Used primarily in method and constructor overloading.
 Introduction to Overloading
What is Overloading?

class OverloadExample {
void display(int a) {
System.out.println("Integer: " + a);
}

void display(double a) {
System.out.println("Double: " + a);
}
}
 Method Overloading
Method Overloading in Java
• Same method name, different parameter lists.
• Achieved by changing:
• Number of parameters
• Data type of parameters
• Order of parameters
 Method Overloading
Example:
class MathOperations {
int sum(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
}

double sum(double a, double b) {

return a + b;
}

int sum(int a, int b, int c) {

return a + b + c;
}
}
 Constructor Overloading
Constructor Overloading
• Multiple constructors with different parameters in the same class.
• Useful for initializing objects in different ways.
• Example: class Person {
String name;
int age;

Person(String n) {
name = n;
}

Person(String n, int a) {
name = n;
age = a;
}
}
 Importing Header Files in Java
Importing Header Files
• Java does not use traditional "header files" like C++.
• Instead, Java uses import statements to include predefined classes from
packages.
Example:
import java.util.Scanner; // Importing Scanner class

public class InputExample {

public static void main(String[] args) {
Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.print("Enter a number: ");
int num = sc.nextInt();
System.out.println("You entered: " + num);
}
}
 Introduction to Inheritance
What is Inheritance?
• Inheritance is a fundamental OOP concept in Java.
• It allows a class to inherit properties and methods from another class.
• Promotes code reusability and hierarchical classification.
Diagram Example:

Vehicle (Parent Class)

|
├── Car (Child Class)
├── Bike (Child Class)
 How Inheritance Works in Java
How Does Java Implement Inheritance?
• The extends keyword is used to inherit a class.
• The child (subclass) gets all non-private members of the parent class.
 How Inheritance Works in Java
Example:

// Parent class
class Animal {
void makeSound() {
System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
}
}

// Child class inheriting from Animal

class Dog extends Animal {
void bark() {
System.out.println("Dog barks");
}
}
 How Inheritance Works in Java
Example:

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {
Dog d = new Dog();
d.makeSound(); // Inherited method
d.bark(); // Own method
}
}
 Types of Inheritance in Java
Types of Inheritance in Java
1. Single Inheritance – One class inherits another.
2. Multilevel Inheritance – A class inherits another class, which inherits another.
3. Hierarchical Inheritance – Multiple classes inherit from a single class.
4. Multiple Inheritance (via Interfaces) – Java does not support multiple
inheritance with classes but allows it using interfaces.
 Single Inheritance Example
A single parent-child relationship.
Example: class Vehicle {
void run() {
System.out.println("Vehicle is running");
}
}
class Car extends Vehicle {
void fuelType() {
System.out.println("Car uses petrol or diesel");
}
}
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Car c = new Car();
c.run(); // Inherited method
c.fuelType(); // Own method
}}
 Multilevel Inheritance Example
A class inherits from a derived class
class Grandparent {
void familyName() {
System.out.println("Family Name: Smith");
}
}
class Parent extends Grandparent {
void job() {
System.out.println("Parent is an Engineer");
}
}
class Child extends Parent {
void hobby() {
System.out.println("Child loves painting");
}
}
 Multilevel Inheritance Example
A class inherits from a derived class

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {
Child obj = new Child();
obj.familyName();
obj.job();
obj.hobby();
}
}
 Hierarchical Inheritance Example
Multiple classes inherit from a common base class
class Vehicle {
void start() {
System.out.println("Vehicle is
starting");
}
}
class Car extends Vehicle {
void speed() {
System.out.println("Car is moving at
100 km/h"); }
}
class Bike extends Vehicle {
void mileage() {
System.out.println("Bike gives 50 km/l
mileage");
}
}
 Hierarchical Inheritance Example
Multiple classes inherit from a common base class

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {
Car myCar = new Car();
myCar.start(); myCar.speed();
Bike myBike = new Bike();
myBike.start(); myBike.mileage();
}
}
 Multiple Inheritance

Note*: Not supported through classes in Java, but achievable via

interfaces
 Interfaces in Java
What is an Interface?
• An interface in Java is a blueprint of a class.
• It contains only abstract methods (before Java 8).
• Used for multiple inheritance and abstraction.
• Defined using the interface keyword.
 Interface Syntax
• interface Animal {
• void sound(); // Abstract method
• }

• class Dog implements Animal {

• public void sound() {
• System.out.println("Dog barks");
• }
• }

• public class InterfaceExample {

• public static void main(String args[]) {
• Dog d = new Dog();
• d.sound();
• }
• }
 Multiple Inheritance using Interfaces
• interface Printable {
• void print();
• }

• interface Showable {
• void show();
• }

• class Demo implements Printable, Showable {

• public void print() {
• System.out.println("Print Method");
• }

• public void show() {

• System.out.println("Show Method");
• }
• }
 Multiple Inheritance using Interfaces
• public class MultipleInterfaceExample {
• public static void main(String args[]) {
• Demo obj = new Demo();
• obj.print();
• obj.show();
• }
• }
 Polymorphism in Java
What is Polymorphism?
Polymorphism means "many forms" in Java.
Types:
• Compile-time (Method Overloading)
✓ Same method name, different parameters.
• Runtime (Method Overriding)
✓ Parent class method is overridden in the child class.
✓ Happens during runtime.
 Method Overloading
• class OverloadExample {
• void add(int a, int b) {
• System.out.println("Addition: " + (a + b));
• }
•
• void add(double a, double b) {
• System.out.println("Addition: " + (a + b));
• }
• }

• public class MethodOverloading {

• public static void main(String args[]) {
• OverloadExample obj = new OverloadExample();
• obj.add(5, 10);
• obj.add(5.5, 2.5);
• }
• }
 Method Overriding
• class Parent {
• void show() {
• System.out.println("Parent class method");
• }
• }

• class Child extends Parent {

• @Override
• void show() {
• System.out.println("Child class method");
• }
• }

• public class MethodOverriding {

• public static void main(String args[]) {
• Parent obj = new Child(); // Runtime Polymorphism
• obj.show();
• }
• }
Difference Between Method Overloading and Overriding

Feature Method Overloading Method Overriding

Same method name, same
Definition Same method name, different parameters
parameters
Occurrence Compile-time Runtime
Inheritance Not required Required
Access Modifier Can be different Cannot reduce visibility