Overriding private functions

[Cristian Negresco]

Hi,
This is from JQPlus free mock exam:
class SuperClass
{
public void methodA()
{
System.out.println("In superclass's method A");
methodB(); //0
}
private void methodB()
//public void methodB()
{
System.out.println("In superclass's method B");
}
}
class SubClass extends SuperClass
{
public void methodB()
{
System.out.println("In subclass's method B ");
}
public static void main(String args[])
{
SuperClass obj = new SubClass();
obj.methodA();
}
}

1.Is it so that is not possible to override private functions?
2.Is there a way in which I can call the SubClass methodB - just curiosity?

[Ferry Widjaja]

I dont think so ,
private = only visible to the current class
You cant access it in anyway
You might think of overriding it but you actually
creating a new method in the SubClass
please correct me if I am wrong

[Manfred Leonhardt]

Hi Cristian,
No you can't override a private method. Since the subclass doesn't even see the method it can't replace it. If you call methodB from SuperClass methodA it only sees its own private method. Therefore, from SuperClass methodA you can not call SubClass methodB.
However, if in the SubClass main you create a SubClass reference variable then you can call its' methodB class.
Example:

SubClass obj2 = new SubClass();
obj2.methodB();

Regards,
Manfred.

[Anonymous]

No, you cannot override any final, static and private methods.
Coming to your second question...

<font size = 2>
class SuperClass{
  public void methodA(){
  System.out.println("In superclass's method A");
  methodB(); //0
  }
  private void methodB(){
  System.out.println("In superclass's method B");
  }
}
class SubClass extends SuperClass{
  public void methodB(){
  System.out.println("In subclass's method B ");
  }
  public static void main(String args[]){
  SuperClass obj = new SubClass();
  obj.methodA();
  SubClass sub = new SubClass();// *1*
//SubClass sub = (SubClass)obj; // *2*
  sub.methodB();
  }
}
</font>

*1*, *2* can solve your problem.

Hope this helps
Shyam

[Cristian Negresco]

Hi all,
It helped, thanks.
Cristian

[juan Tsui]

Hi:
All ,the question and the answer are very well. I am implicit with these .
Thanks All .