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What is an abstract class?
An abstract class is a concept used in object-oriented programming (OOP) to define common characteristics and behaviors that can be inherited by other classes. It serves as a blueprint or a template for creating more specific classes. However, an abstract class cannot be instantiated directly, meaning you cannot create objects from it.
Key Concepts of Object-Oriented Programming
When it comes to object-oriented programming, there are several key concepts that are essential to understand. These concepts serve as the foundation for building complex and efficient software systems. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important concepts:
1. Encapsulation: Encapsulation refers to the bundling of data and the methods that operate on that data within a single unit, known as a class. This ensures that the data is not directly accessible outside the class, and it can only be accessed through the methods provided by the class. It promotes code reusability, modularization, and data hiding.
2. Inheritance: Inheritance allows classes to inherit properties and behaviors from other classes. It establishes a parent-child relationship, where the child class inherits the attributes and methods of the parent class. This concept promotes code reuse, as common functionality can be defined once in a parent class and inherited by multiple child classes.
3. Polymorphism: Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass. It enables a single variable to have multiple forms or data types. This concept provides flexibility and extensibility in programming, as it allows for the creation of methods that can take different forms depending on the object being operated upon.
With these key concepts in mind, let’s delve deeper into the concept of an abstract class.
An abstract class serves as a base class from which other classes can be derived. It provides a common structure and set of methods that the derived classes must implement. However, an abstract class itself cannot be instantiated. It only serves as a blueprint or a contract for its derived classes.
By designating a class as abstract, you are specifying that it contains one or more abstract methods. Abstract methods are methods that are declared but not implemented in the abstract class. They serve as placeholders for the actual implementation, which must be provided by the derived classes.
One of the main reasons for using an abstract class is to define a common interface or a set of characteristics that the derived classes must adhere to. This allows for code reusability and ensures consistency among the different derived classes. It also allows for the abstraction of common functionalities, making the code more manageable and easier to maintain.
To create a derived class from an abstract class, you must inherit the abstract class using the keyword “extends” and provide implementations for all the abstract methods declared in the abstract class. This way, you can create objects of the derived class and utilize the common functionalities defined in the abstract class.
In summary, an abstract class is an important concept in object-oriented programming that allows for the creation of common characteristics and behaviors that can be inherited by other classes. It serves as a blueprint or template for creating more specific classes, establishes a common interface, promotes code reusability, and ensures consistency.
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