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The Power of Java Abstraction

In Java, abstraction ensures that users only have access to important details. Non-essential and trivial units are not displayed to the user. Dive into this article to learn more about data abstraction in Java. 

What is Abstraction in Java?

Abstraction in Java can be described as the process of spotting the required features of an object while ignoring the irrelevant details. The properties and behaviors of an object separate it from other objects of the same type. They also help with the classification or grouping of objects. 

Example of Abstraction in Java

Take a look at one abstraction in Java example:

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What is an Abstract Class?

An abstract class in Java contains the abstract keyword in its declaration. Abstract classes may or may not include an abstract method in Java. If a class comes with at least one abstract method, you will have to declare the class abstract. 

A class cannot be instantiated if a class is declared abstract. If you want to use an abstract class, you should be able to inherit it from another class. You will be required to inherit an abstract class from another class to use it. Once you inherit an abstract class in Java, you will be required to provide implementations to all abstract methods within it. 

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Advantages of Using Abstraction in Java Programming

The different advantages of using abstraction in Java programming are as follows:

• Abstraction can reduce the complexity of viewing things in Java. 
• Java abstraction can increase code reusability by preventing code duplication.
• Java abstraction can help increase the security of a program or application by making only essential details accessible to users.
• Java abstraction can help with improving the maintainability of an application.
• Abstraction is useful for enhancing the modularity of the application. 
• Improvements become easier because you will be able to perform various modifications in the internal system without affecting end-users. 
• Java abstraction can hide implementation details and display only relevant information.
• It ensures that your users get a simple and clear interface.
• Abstraction maximizes security by restricting access to internal class details. 
• Abstraction supports modularity because complex systems can be segmented into smaller and more manageable parts. 
• Java abstraction can hide implementation complexity details from the user, making the code easier to use and understand. 
• Abstraction supports a lot of flexibility in terms of implementing a program. Adjustments to the underlying implementation details can be completed without impacting the user-facing interface. 
• Java abstraction allows separation and modularity of concerns. It makes code more maintainable and easier to debug.

If you want a class to include a specific method, but you want the original implementation of that method to be specified by child classes, you will have to declare the method in the parent class as an abstract. 

One example of the abstract method in Java is as follows:

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Introduction to Interfaces and Their Purpose in Abstraction

Interfaces are one of the most powerful tools to attain abstraction in Java. Since interfaces are like abstract classes, they cannot be instantiated. As they don’t provide an implementation, you won’t have a constructor either. 

Defining Interfaces and their Syntax in Java

The syntax for the abstract class and the interface is as follows:

Example of Abstract Class That Has an Abstract Method

One abstract class in Java example with an abstract method is as follows: //Example of an abstract class that has abstract and non-abstract methods abstract class Bike{ Bike(){System.out.println(“bike is created”);} abstract void run(); void changeGear(){System.out.println(“gear changed”);} } //Creating a Child class which inherits Abstract class class Honda extends Bike{ void run(){System.out.println(“running safely..”);} } //Creating a Test class which calls abstract and non-abstract methods class TestAbstraction2{ public static void main(String args[]){ Bike obj = new Honda(); obj.run(); obj.changeGear(); } }

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Conclusion

You will be able to create abstract classes and methods with the help of the abstract keyword. An abstract method does not come with any implementation. Any class containing abstract methods also needs to be abstract. But you won’t be able to create objects using an abstract class. 

If you want to implement features of an abstract class, you will have to inherit the subclass from it and create objects of the subclass. A subclass should be able to override all abstract methods in an abstract class.