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The Java Interview Handbook: 300+ Interview Questions

Inheritance Fundamentals

Explore how inheritance forms the foundation of object-oriented programming in Java. Understand class hierarchies, use of extends, protected fields, runtime polymorphism, and sealed classes to create secure, maintainable systems.

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Inheritance is a foundational concept in object-oriented programming. It allows us to build complex, reusable systems by establishing clear relationships between different types.

Let's explore the core mechanics of inheritance in Java and how we can apply these concepts to technical interview questions.

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What is inheritance in Java?

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What are the primary benefits of inheritance?

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How do we implement inheritance in Java?

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Let's look at a practical example where specific child classes inherit shared features from a general parent class.

Java
class Animal {
    protected String name = "Generic Pet";
    public void move() {
        System.out.println("Moving forward...");
    }
}
class Dog extends Animal {
    private String breed = "Retriever";
    public void bark() {
        System.out.println(name + " the " + breed + " says Woof!");
    }
}
class Cat extends Animal {
    public void meow() {
        System.out.println(name + " says Meow!");
    }
    public void hunt() {
        System.out.println(name + " is hunting.");
    }
}
class Program {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Dog myDog = new Dog();
        myDog.move();
        myDog.bark();
        
        Cat myCat = new Cat();
        myCat.move();
        myCat.hunt();
    }
}
...