Midterm exam

Classes

Blueprint for creating objects in Java.

Class Scope

The ability of methods in one object to access variables of another object within the same class.

Abstract Data Type

A data structure that defines a set of operators without specifying their implementation.

Instance Variables

Variables that are typically declared private within a class.

Constructor

A method used to initialize a newly created object.

Default Constructor

A constructor with no parameters that initializes object properties to default values.

Copy Constructor

A constructor that creates a new object as a copy of an existing object.

Public Class Members

Members that can be accessed from outside the class.

Private Class Members

Members that are only accessible within the class.

Getters and Setters

Methods that provide controlled access to private variables.

Composition

A design principle where a class contains instances of other classes.

toString Method

Method that converts an object to a String representation.

equals Method

Method that compares two objects for equality based on their content.

Inheritance

A mechanism where one class inherits attributes and methods from another class.

Subclass

A class that is derived from another class.

Super()

A keyword used to call the constructor of the parent class.

Overriding

Defining a subclass method with the same name and parameters as a method in the superclass.

Overloading

Defining multiple methods with the same name but different parameters.

Abstract Class

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

Abstract Method

A method declared without an implementation that must be implemented in subclasses.

Polymorphism

The ability of an object to take on multiple forms, typically through method overriding.

Example of Polymorphism

Animal mypet = new Dog();