Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Java is a paradigm based on the concept of "objects," which

are instances of classes. OOP principles include encapsula on, inheritance, polymorphism, and
abstrac on. Understanding these core concepts and how they relate to Java will help you in exams
and real-world coding.

1. Class and Object

 Class: A blueprint for crea ng objects. It defines a ributes (fields) and behaviors (methods)
that the objects created from the class will have.

 Object: An instance of a class. It contains the state (fields) and behavior (methods) defined
by the class.

Example:

java

Copy code

class Car {

String model;

int year;

void displayInfo() {

System.out.println("Model: " + model + ", Year: " + year);

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Car car1 = new Car(); // Crea ng an object (car1) from the class Car

car1.model = "Toyota";

car1.year = 2020;

car1.displayInfo(); // Output: Model: Toyota, Year: 2020

2. Encapsula on

Encapsula on is the mechanism of bundling the data (variables) and the methods (func ons) that act
on the data into a single unit, the class. It also involves hiding the internal details (data) from outside
access, providing controlled access through methods (ge ers and se ers).
Example:

java

Copy code

class Employee {

private int salary; // Private field (data is hidden)

// Se er method to assign value

public void setSalary(int salary) {

this.salary = salary;

// Ge er method to access value

public int getSalary() {

return salary;

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Employee emp = new Employee();

emp.setSalary(50000); // Set salary using se er

System.out.println(emp.getSalary()); // Get salary using ge er

3. Inheritance

Inheritance allows a class (child/subclass) to inherit proper es and behaviors (methods) from
another class (parent/superclass). It promotes code reuse.

Example:

java

Copy code

class Animal {
 void eat() {

System.out.println("This animal eats food.");

class Dog extends Animal { // Dog inherits Animal

void bark() {

System.out.println("The dog barks.");

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Dog dog = new Dog();

dog.eat(); // Inherited method from Animal

dog.bark(); // Dog-specific method

4. Polymorphism

Polymorphism means "many forms," allowing one en ty (method or object) to behave differently in
different contexts. It is of two types:

 Compile- me Polymorphism (Method Overloading): Same method name, but different

parameter lists.

 Run me Polymorphism (Method Overriding): A child class provides a specific

implementa on of a method that is already defined in its parent class.

Method Overloading Example (Compile- me Polymorphism):

java

Copy code

class Calculator {

// Overloaded methods (different signatures)

public int add(int a, int b) {

return a + b;
 }

public double add(double a, double b) {

return a + b;

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Calculator calc = new Calculator();

System.out.println(calc.add(10, 20)); // Calls int version

System.out.println(calc.add(10.5, 20.5)); // Calls double version

Method Overriding Example (Run me Polymorphism):

java

Copy code

class Animal {

void sound() {

System.out.println("This animal makes a sound.");

class Dog extends Animal {

@Override

void sound() {

System.out.println("The dog barks.");

public class Main {

 public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Animal myAnimal = new Dog(); // Run me polymorphism

myAnimal.sound(); // Calls Dog's overridden method

5. Abstrac on

Abstrac on is the process of hiding the implementa on details and showing only the essen al
features of the object. In Java, abstrac on can be achieved using:

 Abstract Classes

 Interfaces

Abstract Class Example:

java

Copy code

abstract class Shape {

// Abstract method (doesn't have a body)

abstract void draw();

// Concrete method

void info() {

System.out.println("This is a shape.");

class Circle extends Shape {

@Override

void draw() {

System.out.println("Drawing a circle.");

public class Main {

 public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Shape shape = new Circle(); // Cannot instan ate Shape, only subclass

shape.draw();

shape.info();

Interface Example:

java

Copy code

interface Drawable {

void draw(); // Abstract method by default

class Square implements Drawable {

@Override

public void draw() {

System.out.println("Drawing a square.");

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Drawable drawable = new Square();

drawable.draw();

6. Constructor

A constructor is a special method used to ini alize objects. It is called when an object of a class is
created.

Example:

java
Copy code

class Student {

String name;

int age;

// Constructor

Student(String name, int age) {

this.name = name;

this.age = age;

void displayInfo() {

System.out.println("Name: " + name + ", Age: " + age);

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Student student = new Student("Alice", 20);

student.displayInfo();

7. Sta c Keyword

 Sta c Variables: Belong to the class, not instances.

 Sta c Methods: Can be called without crea ng an object of the class.

 Sta c Block: Used to ini alize sta c data members.

Example:

java

Copy code

class Counter {

sta c int count = 0; // Sta c variable

 // Sta c method

sta c void increment() {

count++;

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Counter.increment(); // Call without object

Counter.increment();

System.out.println("Count: " + Counter.count);

8. Final Keyword

 Final Variables: Cannot be changed a er ini aliza on.

 Final Methods: Cannot be overridden by subclasses.

 Final Classes: Cannot be subclassed.

Example:

java

Copy code

final class Vehicle {

final int maxSpeed = 120; // Final variable

final void run() {

System.out.println("Vehicle is running.");

// class Car extends Vehicle {} // Error: Cannot extend final class Vehicle
public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Vehicle v = new Vehicle();

v.run();

// v.maxSpeed = 130; // Error: Cannot change final variable

9. This Keyword

 Used to refer to the current instance of a class.

 Commonly used in constructors and se ers to resolve naming conflicts.

Example:

java

Copy code

class Person {

String name;

Person(String name) {

this.name = name; // 'this' refers to the current instance

void display() {

System.out.println("Name: " + this.name);

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Person person = new Person("John");

person.display();

}
10. Super Keyword

 Used to refer to the parent class (superclass) in a subclass.

 Can access parent class variables, methods, and constructors.

Example:

java

Copy code

class Animal {

String type = "Animal";

void sound() {

System.out.println("This animal makes a sound.");

class Dog extends Animal {

String type = "Dog";

void sound() {

super.sound(); // Calls parent class method

System.out.println("The dog barks.");

void printType() {

System.out.println("Type in Dog: " + type);

System.out.println("Type in Animal: " + super.type); // Refers to parent class variable

public class Main {

public sta c void main(String[] args) {

Dog dog = new Dog();

 dog.sound();

dog.printType();

These are the core concepts of OOP in Java that you need to understand for exam purposes. You
should prac ce wri ng code with each concept and understand how they work together.