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confusion regarding clone() , Object class and Clonable Interface in Java

If clone() is a part of the Object class , then why do we need to implement Clonable interface to use clone()?

I have read that clone() is protected member of Object, then what is the relationship between clone() and Clonable interface. Sorry if I sound stupid. I have just began learning Java.

Solution

  • Cloneable is a marker interface. It doesn't have any methods. Just to whitelist your class to make Cloneable

    From docs

    A class implements the Cloneable interface to indicate to the Object.clone() method that it is legal for that method to make a field-for-field copy of instances of that class. Invoking Object's clone method on an instance that does not implement the Cloneable interface results in the exception CloneNotSupportedException being thrown.