Java super Keyword
Example
Using super to call the superclass of Dog
(subclass):
public class Animal { // Superclass (parent)
public void
animalSound() {
System.out.println("The animal makes a
sound");
}
}
public class
Dog extends Animal { // Subclass (child)
public void animalSound() {
super.animalSound(); // Call the superclass method
System.out.println("The dog says: bow wow");
}
}
public class
MyMainClass {
public static void main(String args[]) {
Animal myDog = new Dog(); // Create a Dog object
myDog.animalSound(); // Call the method on the Dog object
}
}
Run example »
Definition and Usage
The super keyword refers to superclass
(parent) objects.
It is used to call superclass methods, and to access the superclass constructor.
The most common use of the super keyword is to eliminate
the confusion between superclasses and subclasses that have methods with the
same name.
To understand the super keyword, you should have a basic understanding of Inheritance and Polymorphism.
Related Pages
Read more about inheritance (subclasses and superclasses) in our Java Inheritance Tutorial.
Read more about polymorphism in our Java Polymorphism Tutorial.
