Question

I’m learning java and have a question about object types.

Take the following as an example:

class A { }

class B extends A { }

class C {A myObject = new B();}

What is the accepted way to describe the type of myObject?

Would you say it is Type A, Type B, or Type A and B?

Thanks.

Answer 1

myObject is a reference of type A (your variable is declared to be of type A).

The object itself, which is referred to by myObject, is of type B. The instance is of type B.

It’s a matter of context and focus.
When you use myObject in other places you may not know it is an instance of class B, only that it is of type A.