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javaoopsupertype

What is a supertype method?


I have googled couple of times but still can't understand the supertype method. Can anyone please explain what is this?


Solution

  • There is a notion of supertype and subtype in OOPS, In java this kind of relationship is implemented by inheritance i.e. using extends keyword:

    class A {} // super class
    class B extends A {} //sub class
    

    Any member (fields, methods) declared in super class is to be called supertype.

    Therefore in above context if class A has method like

    class A {
       void set()
    }
    

    Set is supertype method for class B.

    However, notice that if there is another class say C:

    class C {
        void set()        
    }
    

    Then set() method is not supertype for C class because there is no relationship between class A and class C (relationship is created by extends keyword, for inheritance).