I wonder what is the difference in Java between an abstract class and a class that has all its methods abstract? I mean, is an abstract class just a class whose methods automatically get abstract?
Share
Sign Up to our social questions and Answers Engine to ask questions, answer people’s questions, and connect with other people.
Login to our social questions & Answers Engine to ask questions answer people’s questions & connect with other people.
Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.
I wonder what is the difference in Java between an abstract class and a class that has all its methods abstract? I mean, is an abstract class just a class whose methods automatically get abstract?
Absolutely not. Indeed, a class can be abstract without any methods being abstract, although that’s relatively rare (see Mark’s comment below for an example). On the other hand, if a class has any abstract methods, then it must be declared abstract.
Generally speaking, the purpose of an abstract class is to provide a skeleton with some non-abstract behaviour, but other bits still to be filled in by subclasses. This can be used with the template method pattern, for example.