[fig79]

    public class Animal {
        public static void testClassMethod() {
            System.out.println("The class method in Animal.");
        }
        public void testInstanceMethod() {
            System.out.println("The instance method in Animal.");
        }
    }

The second class, a subclass of Animal, is called Cat:

    public class Cat extends Animal {
        public static void testClassMethod() {
            System.out.println("The class method in Cat.");
        }
        public void testInstanceMethod() {
            System.out.println("The instance method in Cat.");
        }

        public static void main(String[] args) {
            Cat myCat = new Cat();
            Animal myAnimal = myCat;
            Animal.testClassMethod();
            myAnimal.testInstanceMethod();
        }
    }

The Cat class overrides the instance method in Animal and hides the class method in Animal. The main method in this class creates an instance of Cat and calls testClassMethod() on the class and testInstanceMethod() on the instance.

The output from this program is as follows:

    The class method in Animal.
    The instance method in Cat.

As promised, the version of the hidden method that gets invoked is the one in the superclass, and the version of the overridden method that gets invoked is the one in the subclass

Above statement comes from here

My question :
1. Animal.testClassMethod(); is hiding method (yes or no)?
2. myAnimal.testInstanceMethod(); is overriding method (yes or no)?

I will wait your answer guys, then I will ask another question.

[CodingSup3rnatur@l-360]

Hi,

Yes to both questions. We talk about hiding when using static methods, and overriding when we use instance methods.

[masijade]

Well, that's one answer on his quiz. Maybe he should earn his grade.

[pbl]

Your methods are static so for sure

Animal.testClassMethod();

will call the method in animal

myAnimal.testClassMethod();

will have call the one of Cat

[fig79]

Thanks for you all who already answered my question.

The next question :

Animal myAnimal = myCat;

1. Could you explain to me. what is the meaning of the above statement?
2. What is the purpose?

[japanir]

Why not read 2 short tutorials, one about class and instance members:
http://download.orac.../classvars.html
and the second about inheritance (will answer your new questions):
http://download.orac...subclasses.html

You will find the answers to your questions and much more.
If after reading these tutorials you still have some trouble understanding anything, feel free to post again

[fig79]

@japanir
I have read it, but I still don't understand the meaning behind

Animal myAnimal = myCat;

?

What I understand is
- Cat myCat = new Cat() ---> Animal object & Cat object are created, because Cat is subclass from Animal.

[japanir]

In the inheritance tutorial go to the Casting Objects section. You'll find your answer.
http://download.orac...subclasses.html

[fig79]

@japanir

Animal myAnimal = myCat --> myAnimal is both Animal's object & Cat's object, am I correct?

[japanir]

Yes, that is called implicit casting.
That line

Animal myAnimal = myCat;

is possible, since Cat is also an Animal (extends Animal).
This line however,

Cat c = new Animal();

will give you an error, since Animal is NOT a Cat object.

[fig79]

japanir, on 18 February 2011 - 04:53 AM, said:

Yes, that is called implicit casting.
That line

Animal myAnimal = myCat;

is possible, since Cat is also an Animal (extends Animal).
This line however,

Cat c = new Animal();

will give you an error, since Animal is NOT a Cat object.

Thanks for your explanation.
But, why use like this

Animal myAnimal = myCat;

instead

Cat myCat = new Cat();
Animal myAnimal = New Animal();

So if want to use method in Animal class --> just use keyword myAnimal
and if want to use method in Cat class --> just use keyword myCat
It makes clearly what part of class's method is used.

This post has been edited by fig79: 18 February 2011 - 09:32 AM