Interfaces vs. Abstract Classes
Explore the differences between interfaces and abstract classes in Java and learn how to apply them effectively in object-oriented design. Understand default implementations, avoid common anti-patterns, and utilize functional interfaces with lambdas to create clean, modular, and maintainable code.
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When designing object-oriented systems, we often need to define contracts for our classes to follow. Historically, the choice between interfaces and abstract classes was based entirely on whether we needed to provide default implementations. Modern Java has evolved significantly, changing how we approach this decision.
Let’s look at the best practices for using interfaces and abstract classes today. ...
Why should we generally prefer interfaces over abstract classes when defining types?
What is a skeletal implementation, and how does it combine interfaces and abstract classes?