about upcasting

[lang lang]

class Instrument{
public void play(){}
static void tune(Intrument i){
//...
i.play();
}
}
class Wind extends Instrument[
public static void main(String[] args){
Wind flute=new Wind();
Intrument.tune(flute);//upcasting
}
}///:-
I am confused about 'upcasting',would you say something about it ?
how to use it?
thank you !
----Lang

[Wirianto Djunaidi]

upcasting is when you refer to an object by its more general identity.
In your example you are passing flute which is a Wind object into the
tune() method which take Instrument object. So within the Instrument.tune()
your flute is seen as Instrument object, Wind object.
Just like when your neighbour just bought a new Subaru Outback, and your
wife told you, "oh, Jim just bought a new Car".

[Gorkhali Mountainman]

******/
*Here is more Simple example! Car is parent Class and Hammer is child *class! upcasting means calling method or variable from upper class!
*-@@@
******/
//Hammer.java
class Car {
public static void drive(){
System.out.println("I drive Car");
}
}
class Hammer extends Car {
public static void drive(){
System.out.println("I drive Hammer!");
}
public static void main(String[] args){
Hammer H2 = new Hammer();
//call drive method from parent class Car
Car.drive();//upcasting
//call drive method from child class Hammer
H2.drive();
}
}