Inheritance in Java

Terms

inheritance

An Object Oriented design technique which allows a new class to be derived from an existing class. The new class inherits both variables and methods of the parent or super class.

super class

A class from which another class is derived.

parent/child

Another term for the super/sub class relationship.

base/derived

Another term for the super/sub class relationship.

sub class

A class derived from another class.

extends

The directory path to a file location that begins with the root of the directory in which the file is located.

specialization

A sub class has additional characteristics (attributes, behaviors, or both) beyond its super class. It is a specialization of the super class.

generalization

Ignores or does not include characteristics (attributes, behaviors, or both) of a sub class. It is a generalization of the sub class.

super reference

A Java reserved word that refers to the super class.

• super. - refers to a member of the parent class
• super() - refers to a constructor of the parent class

visibility modifier

A Java modifier that defines the scope in which a class member can be accessed.
Modifiers include:

1. public - visible to all other classes
2. private - visible only within the class
3. protected - visible to sub-classes

class relationships

Defines how one class is related to another class.

• uses - One class uses the objects or services of another class
• has a - One class's attributes include one or more objects of another class.
• is a - One class is/does everything of another class...and more.

Classes you should know

Enum

Basic class defining the characteristics of enumerated types.

Today's notes

See ppt presentation - Experimenting with Inheritance.