What is the behaviour of static final method in Java?

Method hiding

If a subclass defines a class method (static method) with the same signature as a class method in the super class, the method in the subclass hides the one in the super class.

 

MethodHidingDemo.java

Animal.java

class Animal {
	static void printMsg() {
		System.out.println("I am the super class static method");
	}

	void showMsg() {
		System.out.println("I am the super class instance method");
	}
}

 

Tiger.java

public class Tiger extends Animal {
	static void printMsg() {
		System.out.println("I am the sub class static method");
	}

	void showMsg() {
		System.out.println("I am the sub class instance method");
	}

	public static void main(String args[]) {
		Animal ref = new Tiger();
		ref.printMsg();
		ref.showMsg();
	}
}

 

Output

I am the super class static method
I am the sub class instance method

 

As you observe the output, run time polymorphism not happened for the static method. So the message “I am the super class static method” printed.

 

The showMsg() method of class Tiger overrides the showMsg() of super class. Whereas, the printMsg() of subclass hides the printMsg() of super class.

 

 

How to disable method hiding?

The keyword final will disable the method from being hidden. When you attempt to hide a static final method in subclass, it will result in compiler error.

 

Update Animal class with static final method.

 

Animal.java

 

class Animal {
	static final void printMsg() {
		System.out.println("I am the super class static method");
	}

	void showMsg() {
		System.out.println("I am the super class instance method");
	}
}

 

When you try to compile Tiger class, you will get below compiler error.

bash-3.2$ javac Tiger.java 
Tiger.java:2: error: printMsg() in Tiger cannot override printMsg() in Animal
	static void printMsg() {
	            ^
  overridden method is static,final
1 error

Do not get confused with the error message, where it is talking about method overriding, ideally it is hiding (Overriding is applicable to instance methods, not for the static methods). I would recommend to read this post for more details.

 

References

Method hiding

  

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Hiding methods

If a subclass defines a class method (static method) with the same signature as a class method in the super class, the method in the subclass hides the one in the super class.

Distinction between Hiding and Overriding

class Animal{
 static void printMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the super class static method");
 }

 void showMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the super class instance method");
 }
}

class Tiger extends Animal{
 static void printMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the sub class static method");
 }

 void showMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the sub class instance method");
 }

 public static void main(String args[]){
  Animal ref = new Tiger();
  ref.printMsg();
  ref.showMsg();
 }
}

Output

I am the super class static method

I am the sub class instance method

As you observe the output, run time polymorphism not happened for the static method. So the message “I am the super class static method” printed.

The showMsg() method of class Tiger overrides the showMsg() of super class. Where as, the printMsg() of subclass hides the printMsg() of super class.

Remember,A sub class static method always hides the super class static method. Where as sub class instance method overrides the super class instance method.

Some points to remember

1. Can a sub class instance method hides the super class static method?

     No, Compiler error thrown.

Example

class Animal{
 static void printMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the super class static method");
 }
}

      

class Tiger extends Animal{
 void printMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the sub class static method");
 }
}

When you try to compile the class Tiger, compiler throws the below error. You will get a compile-time error if you attempt to change an instance method in the superclass to a class method in the subclass, and vice versa.

Tiger.java:2: error: printMsg() in Tiger cannot override printMsg() in Animal

void printMsg(){

^

overridden method is static

1 error

2. What is wrong with the below program ?

class Animal{
 public static void printMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the super class static method");
 }
}

class Tiger extends Animal{
 static void printMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the sub class static method");
 } 
} 

The access specifier for an hiding method can allow more, but not less, access than the hidden method. For example, a public static method in the superclass can be made public, but not private, protected and default.

When you tries to compile the class Tiger, compiler throws the below error.

Tiger.java:2: error: printMsg() in Tiger cannot override printMsg() in Animal

static void printMsg(){

^

attempting to assign weaker access privileges; was public

1 error

3. What is wrong with the below program ?     

class Animal{
 static void printMsg(){
  System.out.println("I am the super class static method");
 }
}

class Tiger extends Animal{
 static void printMsg()throws Exception{
  System.out.println("I am the sub class static method");
 }
} 

The hiding method cannot throw any exceptions that are not thrown by the overridden method.

When you tries to compile the above program compiler throws the below error.

Tiger.java:2: error: printMsg() in Tiger cannot override printMsg() in Animal

static void printMsg()throws Exception{

^

overridden method does not throw Exception

1 error

4. Can I specify weaker access specifier to the overriding method in the sub class ?

No

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