Rules for method overriding:

Rules for method overriding:

• The argument list should be exactly the same as that of the overridden method.
• The return type should be the same or a subtype of the return type declared in the original overridden method in the super class.
• The access level cannot be more restrictive than the overridden method's access level. For example: if the super class method is declared public then the overridding method in the sub class cannot be either default, private or public. However the access level can be less restrictive than the overridden method's access level.(private-> default -> protected -> public (less restrictive))
• Instance methods can be overridden only if they are inherited by the subclass.
• A method declared final cannot be overridden.
• A method declared static cannot be overridden but can be re-declared.
• If a method cannot be inherited then it cannot be overridden.
• A subclass within the same package as the instance's superclass can override any superclass method that is not declared private or final.
• A subclass in a different package can only override the non-final methods declared public or protected.
• An overriding method can throw any uncheck exceptions, regardless of whether the overridden method throws exceptions or not. However the overriding method should not throw checked exceptions that are new or broader than the ones declared by the overridden method. The overriding method can throw narrower or fewer exceptions than the overridden method.
• Constructors cannot be overridden.
  
  

  Access

  • Can be less restrictive: default -> protected -> public (less restrictive)
  • Example:

  class Z {  private void method() {}}class A extends Z {  void method() {     
      // not an override, since Z's method is not visible    // super.method(); will cause compile error   }}class B extends A {  protected void method() { // override A's    super.method();  }}class C extends B {  public void method() { // override B's    super.method();  }}

  
  

  Using the super keyword:

  When invoking a superclass version of an overridden method the super keyword is used.

  class Animal{ public void move(){ System.out.println("Animals can move"); } } class Dog extends Animal{ public void move(){ super.move(); // invokes the super class method System.out.println("Dogs can walk and run"); } } public class TestDog{ public static void main(String args[]){ Animal b = new Dog(); // Animal reference but Dog object b.move();//Runs the method in Dog class } }