What does it mean by extends

[Creeder]

Hi All,

What does the keyword extends means? Example

public class TEST extends AnotherClass
{

}

Does that mean now class TEST have the methods of the class
AnotherClass??

Thanks

YJ

 

[hopgal]

This is a very important concept in java: inheritance. "Extends" is a keyword meaning that the TEST class inherits the fields and methods of AnotherClass. TEST is a subclass of AnotherClass. For example, you might have a class called Shapes with subclasses of Circle, Square, Triangle, etc. They all have areas, but do not use the same formula to calculate the areas. This is object oriented programming (OOP). You should read about it. Remove "nospam" from my email address to reply.

 

[ackka]

If you come from a c++ enviroment, this is basically the same syntax if you did

class human : public mammal
{

human() : mammal()
{

} 
};

ackka
ackka@mad.scientist.com

http://home.cyberarmy.com/ackka

Java is the Future

 

[JohnAtSporgit]

Yes, it means that TEST (should be Test) has all the methods and properties of AnotherClass.

You can add properties and methods to Test that extend the functionality of AnotherClass. You can also redefine methods of AnotherClass to do something a different way.

hth