Understanding equals() and hashCode() in Java Java Interfaces and Overriding Methods

Purpose of equals(): To compare objects for An interface in Java is a blueprint for a class that
equality. only includes method declarations without
implementations.

Definition: equals() checks if two objects are Interfaces allow classes to implement methods
meaningfully equivalent. consistently.

Default Behavior: Uses reference equality Interfaces ensure flexibility by enabling multiple
(compares memory locations). classes to follow a common structure.

Overriding equals(): Customize to compare public interface belek {

object content rather than references. String getDescription();
}

Purpose of hashCode(): Returns an integer `toString()` - Provides a string representation of

representation for hashing. an object.

Definition: Returns an integer as the hash code `equals()` - Compares two objects for equality
for the object. based on their properties.

Role in Hashing: Used in hashing algorithms (e.g., `hashCode()` - Returns a unique integer that
for HashMap keys). represents the memory address.

Importance: Ensures that equal objects have the Java interfaces allow classes to follow a common
same hash code. structure without inheriting directly.

Why Consistency Matters `toString()`, `equals()`, and `hashCode()` are

• Hash-Based Collections: Collections like crucial methods for representing, comparing, and
HashMap and HashSet use hash codes to store hashing objects.
objects.
• Consistent equals() and hashCode(): Essential to Overriding these methods ensures meaningful
prevent data inconsistency in collections. and functional behavior in Java programs.
• Example: Without consistency, equal objects
could be stored in different buckets.

• Override Guidelines:
- equals(): Ensure symmetry, reflexivity,
transitivity, and consistency.
- hashCode(): Return the same value for equal
objects.
• Example Code:
@Override
public boolean equals(Object obj) { ... }
@Override
public int hashCode() { ... }

equals() and hashCode() are fundamental

methods for managing object equality.

Proper implementation ensures correct behavior

in hash-based collections.

Consistency between equals() and hashCode() is

essential for data integrity.
 ClassCastException and Improper Casting Introduction to Virtual Method
Invocation in Java
 ClassCastException occurs when trying to  Virtual Method Invocation refers to the
cast an object to a subclass it doesn't belong mechanism by which the method that is
to. called is determined at runtime rather than
compile-time.
 It is a runtime exception, indicating that the
actual object is not compatible with the  In Java, this is achieved through method
type cast. overriding, where a subclass provides a
specific implementation of a method
 Can cause abrupt program termination if already defined in its superclass.
not handled.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS:
 Casting between unrelated types can lead to - Method overriding allows a subclass to provide
ClassCastException. a specific implementation of a method in the
superclass.
 The program may compile without errors,
but fail at runtime. - Java uses dynamic dispatch to determine which
method to invoke at runtime.
 Improper casting is a common issue when
working with polymorphic types. - Virtual methods enable runtime polymorphism,
a core concept of Object-Oriented Programming.
 When casting, using 'instanceof' ensures
that the object belongs to the target class. class Animal {
void sound() {
 Example: casting a Dog object to a Cat class System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
without checking. }
}
 This would lead to a ClassCastException at
runtime. class Dog extends Animal {
void sound() {
Dog dog = new Dog(); System.out.println("Dog barks");
Cat cat = (Cat) dog; // Throws ClassCastException }
at runtime }

// Solution with instanceof: public class Main {

if (dog instanceof Cat) { public static void main(String[] args) {
Cat cat = (Cat) dog; Animal a = new Dog();
} a.sound(); // Dog barks
}
}

Benefits of Virtual Method Invocation

- Promotes code reusability by allowing
subclasses to customize methods.
- Supports polymorphism, which helps in building
flexible and maintainable code.
- Decouples the implementation from the
interface, allowing the behavior of objects to vary
at runtime.

+ Virtual Method Invocation is a powerful feature

in Java that enables runtime method resolution.

+ It plays a critical role in polymorphism and

allows developers to write more flexible,
extensible, and reusable code.
 Overview of Timer and TimerTask in Java import java.util.Timer;
import java.util.TimerTask;
Overview of Timer Class
• Timer is a utility class in java.util used to public class TimerExample {
schedule tasks for future execution. public static void main(String[] args) {
• It enables scheduling tasks with fixed delays or Timer timer = new Timer();
at fixed intervals. TimerTask task = new TimerTask() {
• Commonly used for automated, periodic tasks. public void run() {
System.out.println("Task executed");
Overview of TimerTask Class }
• TimerTask is an abstract class representing a };
task that can be scheduled by a Timer. timer.schedule(task, 1000, 2000);
• It contains the run() method which is }
overridden to define the task to be executed. }
• Complements the Timer class for performing
repetitive or delayed tasks. • Timer and TimerTask provide robust ways to
handle delayed and repeated tasks.
schedule() Method • schedule() and scheduleAtFixedRate() offer
• Schedules a task to run once after a specified flexibility for task execution timing.
delay or repeatedly at a fixed delay. • Use schedule() for tasks with fixed delays; use
• Syntax: schedule(TimerTask task, long delay, scheduleAtFixedRate() for constant rate tasks.
long period)
• Example Usage: Running a task after a delay or
repeatedly at intervals.

scheduleAtFixedRate() Method
• Schedules a task to run repeatedly at a fixed
rate.
• Syntax: scheduleAtFixedRate(TimerTask task,
long delay, long period)
• Unlike schedule(), it maintains a constant rate
by compensating for delays.

Comparison of schedule() and

scheduleAtFixedRate()
• schedule(): Executes tasks with a fixed delay
between each execution.
• scheduleAtFixedRate(): Executes tasks at a fixed
rate, adjusting for any delay in execution.
• Suitable use cases:
- schedule() for delayed repeated tasks.
- scheduleAtFixedRate() for tasks needing precise
timing.

Practical Use Cases

• Periodic data backups
• Automatic logout due to inactivity
• Sending periodic notifications
• Timed game events
### 1. **java.lang** (Automatically imported) ### 6. **java.time** (Date and Time API)
- `Object` — Base class for all Java objects. - `LocalDate`, `LocalTime`, `LocalDateTime` —
- `String` — Used for handling text. Represent date and time without timezone.
- `System` — For standard input/output. - `ZonedDateTime` — Date and time with
- `Math` — Provides methods for mathematical timezone.
operations. - `Duration`, `Period` — For time intervals.
- `Integer`, `Double`, `Boolean`, etc. — Wrapper - `Instant` — For a timestamp.
classes for primitive types. - `DateTimeFormatter` — For parsing and
- `Exception` — Base class for exceptions. formatting dates.
- `Thread` — For multithreading.
### 7. **javax.swing** (GUI components)
### 2. **java.util** (Utility classes) - `JFrame` — Main window.
- `Array List`, `LinkedList`, `HashMap`, - `JButton`, `JLabel`, `JTextField` — Basic GUI
`HashSet`, `TreeSet` — Collection framework components.
classes. - `JPanel` — Container for organizing
- `Collections` — Utility class for collection components.
manipulation. - `JTable` — For displaying tables.
- `Scanner` — For reading input. - `JMenu`, `JMenuBar`, `JMenuItem` — For
- `Date`, `Calendar` — For date and time menus.
manipulation.
- `Random` — For generating random numbers. ### 8. **java.awt** (Abstract Window Toolkit for
- `Optional` — To represent optional values. GUI and graphics)
- `Graphics` — For drawing.
### 3. **java.io** (Input/Output) - `Color`, `Font` — For colors and fonts.
- `File` — Represents a file or directory path. - `Image` — For images.
- `FileInputStream`, `FileOutputStream` — For - `Dimension` — Represents dimensions of
reading and writing byte streams. components.
- `BufferedReader`, `BufferedWriter` — For - `Toolkit` — For accessing platform-specific
efficient reading and writing. resources.
- `InputStreamReader`, `OutputStreamWriter`
— Bridges from byte streams to character ### 9. **java.net** (Networking)
streams. - `URL` — Represents a Uniform Resource
- `PrintWriter` — For convenient text output. Locator.
- `Serializable` — Interface for making objects - `URLConnection` — Manages connections.
serializable. - `Socket`, `ServerSocket` — For TCP
networking.
### 4. **java.nio** (New I/O for file handling and - `InetAddress` — For IP addresses.
network)
- `Path`, `Paths` — For file paths. ### 10. **java.sql** (SQL database access)
- `Files` — For file and directory operations. - `Connection` — Represents a connection to a
- `ByteBuffer`, `CharBuffer` — For buffer database.
management. - `DriverManager` — For managing database
- `FileChannel` — For file I/O using channels. drivers.
- `ResultSet` — Represents database query
### 5. **java.math** (Mathematical functions) results.
- `BigDecimal` — For high-precision calculations - `Statement`, `PreparedStatement` — For
with floating-point numbers. executing SQL statements.
- `BigInteger` — For high-precision calculations
with integers.
- `MathContext` — For controlling rounding
behavior with `BigDecimal`.
### 11. **javax.json** (JSON processing in Java)
- `JsonObject`, `JsonArray` — JSON structures.
- `JsonReader`, `JsonWriter` — For reading and
writing JSON data.
- `JsonParser` — For parsing JSON content.

### 12. **java.security** (Security-related

classes)
- `MessageDigest` — For generating
cryptographic hash functions.
- `Key`, `KeyPair`, `KeyFactory` — For encryption
keys.
- `Signature` — For digital signatures.

### 13. **java.util.concurrent** (Concurrency

utilities)
- `Executor`, `ExecutorService`,
`ScheduledExecutorService` — For managing
thread execution.
- `Callable`, `Future` — For asynchronous
computation.
- `ConcurrentHashMap`,
`CopyOnWriteArrayList` — Thread-safe
collections.

### 14. **javafx.application** (JavaFX

applications)
- `Application` — Base class for JavaFX
applications.
- `Stage`, `Scene` — Represents the main
window and its contents.
- `Button`, `Label`, `TextField` — Basic UI
components in JavaFX.
- `Canvas` — For custom drawing in JavaFX.