Java 103

Encapsulation

The process of making data private and accessing it through getter and setter methods.

Setter Method

A method that allows for setting a value of a property; can have multiple parameters but typically advised against.

Getter Method

A method that returns the private data it accesses.

Inheritance

The mechanism to create a new class using an existing class, denoted with the 'extends' keyword.

super

A keyword used to call the parent class constructor and methods from the child class.

Constructor Invocation

When a child class constructor explicitly calls the parent class constructor using 'super'.

Parameterized Constructor

A constructor that requires parameters to create an object; must be invoked explicitly when only parameterized constructors exist in the parent class.

Dynamic Method Calling

Achieved through method overriding and using a superclass reference variable.

Preventing Method Overriding

Use final methods or static methods to restrict changes in method implementations.

Type Casting

The conversion of a variable from one data type to another.

Upcasting

Using a superclass reference for a child class object.

Downcasting

Converting a superclass reference back to a child class reference.

Preventing Inheritance

Making a class final or using certain classes like String and Math which cannot be inherited.

Abstract Class

A class that cannot be instantiated and may contain abstract methods that need to be overridden.

Interface

A conceptual entity that acts like a class but cannot be instantiated; used to define methods that must be implemented.

Interface Members

Attributes in interfaces are public, static, and final by default; methods are abstract unless defined as default or static.

Default Method

An instance method in an interface that provides a default implementation.

Static Method

A method that belongs to the class rather than instances of the class and can be called without creating an instance.