Java Final keyword is used to define a constant variables, methods and classes.We can also consider them to be constants they cannot be modified later once declared and assigned a value.
java final variable :
Difference between normal variable and java final variable can be seen through this example.
Consider a String and assign a value to it
String a = "abc";
now we can reassign a value to the above String
a = "def";
But in case of final variable we cannot reassign a value once assigned
Usage :
final variables are used in calculation purpose, where the value is constant and used multiple times like formula, constant values like pi value etc..,
final method :
Consider a method without final declaration display()
class Abc {
void display() {
System.out.println("Display original message");
}
}
And now extend the class and try to override the method declared in Abc class.
public class TestExample extends Abc{
public static void main(String args[]) {
TestExample testExample = new TestExample();
testExample.display();
}
void display(){
System.out.println("Display duplicate message"); // override
}
}
You can clearly observe that message is overridden.
Now try with java final method
class Abc {
final void display() {
System.out.println("Display original message");
}
}
Usage :
final methods can be used where there is a constant block of code to be executed and can’t be altered later on like banking services, emergency, public domain related all services where we can use the method for our requirement but cant change it.
java final class :
The same way final for class will restrict the class from further extensions.
Normal class
class Abc {
.
.
}
can be extended
public class TestExample extends Abc{
.
}
java final class
final class Abc {
.
.
}
Usage :
final class restricts the user from sub classing them any further like String, Integer, double…. There functionalities are finalized and can be altered later.