Abstract and Interface

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What is a java marker interface?

Java marker interface has no members in it. Marker interface ‘was’ used as a tag to inform a message to the java compiler.
Java Marker Interface Examples:
java.lang.Cloneable
java.io.Serializable
java.util.EventListener
Lets take the java.io.Serializable marker interface. It doesnot has any members defined it it. When a java class is to be serialized, you should intimate the java compiler in some way that there is a possibility of serializing this java class. In this scenario, marker interfaces are used. The java class which may be serialized has to implement the java.io.Serializable marker interface. In such way, we are intimating the java compiler.
From java 1.5, the need for marker interface is eliminated by the introduction of the java annotation feature. So, it is wise to use java annotations than the marker interface. It has more feature and advantages than the java marker interface.

Difference Between Interface and Abstract Class

1. Main difference is methods of a Java interface are implicitly abstract and cannot have implementations. A Java abstract class can have instance methods that implements a default behavior.
2. Variables declared in a Java interface is by default final. An  abstract class may contain non-final variables.
3. Members of a Java interface are public by default. A Java abstract class can have the usual flavors of class members like private, protected, etc..
4. Java interface should be implemented using keyword “implements”; A Java abstract class should be extended using keyword “extends”.
5. An interface can extend another Java interface only, an abstract class can extend another Java class and implement multiple Java interfaces.
6. A Java class can implement multiple interfaces but it can extend only one abstract class.
7. Interface is absolutely abstract and cannot be instantiated; A Java abstract class also cannot be instantiated, but can be invoked if a main() exists.
8. In comparison with java abstract classes, java interfaces are slow as it requires extra indirection.

When can an object reference be cast to a Java interface reference?

When a Java object implements the referenced interface it can be cast to the Java interface reference.

Java interface

A java class containing all the methods as abstract is called an interface. A method that has no implementation and which is expected to be implemented by a subclass is called an abstract method. Java interface can contain constants. When an interface needs to be instantiated it should be implemented by a class and all its abstract methods should be defined. If all the methods are not implemented in the class then it becomes a java abstract class and so cannot be instantiated. Variables declared in a java interface by default is final.

How can you invoke a defined method of an abstract class?

An abstract class cannot be instantiated directly. An abstract class has to be sub-classed first and then instantiated. Only then the method defined in the abstract class can be invoked.

What is an abstract class?

A class containing atleast one abstract method is called an abstract class. A method that has no implementation and which is expected to be implemented by a subclass is called an abstract method. An Abstract class cannot be instantiated. It is expected to be extended by a subclass. An abstract class may contain static variables declared. Any class with an abstract method must be declared explicitly as abstract. A class may be declared abstract even if it has no abstract methods. This prevents it from being instantiated.

What is an abstract method?

A method that has no implementation and which is expected to be implemented by a subclass is called an abstract method.