- What is an abstract class?Abstract classes are partial classes, in other words, they are classes that needs to be inherited by other classes to be used. The word abstract means that methods inside such class are not completely implemented, an abstract class can mark some methods as abstract, so, the child class needs to implement them according to its behavior. An abstract class works as a generalized type that needs specialization for each subtype.
What is an interface in OOP?
During the process of designing an application using OOP Paradigm, the application will be designed as a set of classes indicating how objects will be created each with specific status and behavior, as well as defining the ways of interaction between those objects. By this way, almost every class indicates a type(an abstracted data type in a more specific manner).
There are some similarities and differences between an interface and an abstract class that I have arranged in a table for easier comparison:
What is an interface in OOP?
During the process of designing an application using OOP Paradigm, the application will be designed as a set of classes indicating how objects will be created each with specific status and behavior, as well as defining the ways of interaction between those objects. By this way, almost every class indicates a type(an abstracted data type in a more specific manner).
There are some similarities and differences between an interface and an abstract class that I have arranged in a table for easier comparison:
| Feature | Interface | Abstract class |
| Multiple inheritance | A class may inherit several interfaces. | A class may inherit only one abstract class. |
| Default implementation | An interface cannot provide any code, just the signature. | An abstract class can provide complete, default code and/or just the details that have to be overridden. |
| Access Modfiers | An interface cannot have access modifiers for the subs, functions, properties etc everything is assumed as public | An abstract class can contain access modifiers for the subs, functions, properties |
| Core VS Peripheral | Interfaces are used to define the peripheral abilities of a class. In other words both Human and Vehicle can inherit from a IMovable interface. | An abstract class defines the core identity of a class and there it is used for objects of the same type. |
| Homogeneity | If various implementations only share method signatures then it is better to use Interfaces. | If various implementations are of the same kind and use common behaviour or status then abstract class is better to use. |
| Speed | Requires more time to find the actual method in the corresponding classes. | Fast |
| Adding functionality (Versioning) | If we add a new method to an Interface then we have to track down all the implementations of the interface and define implementation for the new method. | If we add a new method to an abstract class then we have the option of providing default implementation and therefore all the existing code might work properly. |
| Fields and Constants | No fields can be defined in interfaces | An abstract class can have fields and constrants defined |
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