method overriding

[jason roberts]

Hi all,

I am taking a practice exam and don't understand the answer to the following question:

Consider the following code:

public class PE14 extends Vehicle
{
public static void main(String [] args)
{
new PE14().run();
}
private final void run(){
System.out.println("Car");
}
}
 
class Vehicle
{
private final void run(){
System.out.println("Vehicle");
}
}

What is the result?

A. Car
B. Vehicle
C. Compiler error at line 3
D. Compiler error at line 5
E. Exception thrown at runtime

I thought the answer was D, but apparently I'm wrong....it's A.

Why can class PE14 override the run() method if it is declared as private in class Vehicle?

Thanks.

-Jason

[Gregory Joseph]

Hi Jason,
Well buddy the answer to your question is the run() method is not inherited by PE14 class so there is no question of overriding happening !!! The PE14 class doesnt even know that Vehicle class has a run() method because it is marked private in the Vehicle class and private members cannot be seen even by subclasses. So the "new PE14().run();" statement just executes the run() method in the PE14 class.. Simple as that. Hope this helps answering your question. Work harder on access modifiers...

Regards,
Greg

[chintan ramavat]

that was a real cool eye catcher by the way. it almost got me ! nice one buddy

[jason roberts]

Makes sense now...Thanks alot!