CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javaarraysclasscastinghierarchy
TheBoxOkay
TheBoxOkay

Reputation: 101

Calling a Method of a Subclass From an Array of the Superclass

Consider the following. You have a Dog Class and a Cat Class, that both extend the Class Animal. If you create an array of Animals Eg.

Animal[] animals = new Animal[5];

In this array 5 random Cats and Dogs are set to each element. If the Dog Class contains the method bark() and the Cat Class does not, how would this method be called in terms of the array? Eg.

animals[3].bark();

Iv'e tried to cast the element, I was examining to a Dog but to no avail Eg.

(Dog(animals[3])).bark();

Upvotes: 0

Views: 105

Answers (1)

Andreas
Andreas

Reputation: 159086

Option 1: Use instanceof (not recommended):

if (animals[3] instanceof Dog) {
    ((Dog)animals[3]).bark();
}

Option 2: Enhance Animal with abstract method:

public abstract class Animal {
    // other stuff here
    public abstract void makeSound();
}
public class Dog extends Animal {
    // other stuff here
    @Override
    public void makeSound() {
        bark();
    }
    private void bark() {
        // bark here
    }
}
public class Cat extends Animal {
    // other stuff here
    @Override
    public void makeSound() {
        meow();
    }
    private void meow() {
        // meow here
    }
}

Upvotes: 1

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