Overriding protected method

[Saurabh Verma]

Hi,

Its written in K&B book,page number 102:

A subclass in a different pacakage can override only those non-final methods marked public or protected.

But when I write the code:

 package com.cts.introduction;
 
public class Vehical {
 
protected void start() {
System.out.println("Vehical started....");
}
}
 
package com.cts.second;
 
import com.cts.introduction.Vehical;
 
class Car extends Vehical {
protected void start() {
 
System.out.println("Car stareted");
}
}
 
public class TestCar {
 
public static void main(String[] args) {
Vehical car = new Car();
car.start();//Check Here
}
}   

Getting compile error at commented line.
Can anybody explain why I am getting error.
Thnks.

[Raphael Kou]

Because you defined your Base Typ "Vehical" at this line

Vehical car = new Car();

The compiler is looking for the start method in the Vehical class (at runtime the start method in the car class will called), but because you marked it protected you have no access to the start method.
[ October 24, 2007: Message edited by: Dzu-I Kou ]

[Saurabh Verma]

Hi,Dzu-I Kou Thnks for the reply.
As I am overriding start() method.Could called that method through the refernce of super class.

[Raphael Kou]

I hope I got your question.

In the Car class, you cannot access Vehical methods through a Vehical Object (except the method is public). You can use the super keyword to access Vehicals methods (if override) or just direct.
[ October 24, 2007: Message edited by: Dzu-I Kou ]