How Does `super()` Work in Java to Call Parent Constructors and Methods?

Calling the Parent Constructor with super() in Java

What is super() in Java?

When creating a subclass or child class in Java, the super() keyword plays a crucial role in establishing the relationship between child and parent classes. It serves two primary purposes:

Calling the Parent Constructor

One of the main functions of super() is to invoke the constructor of the immediate parent class. This is essential for initializing the properties inherited by the child class. The super() call must be the first statement in the child class constructor, ensuring that the parent constructor is executed before any child-specific initialization.

By specifying arguments within the super() call, you can invoke a specific constructor from the parent class that accepts those parameters. For example, super(argument1) would call the constructor in the parent class that accepts a single parameter of the type defined by argument1.

Calling Parent Methods

In addition to invoking the parent constructor, super() can also be used to access and call methods from the parent class. This is particularly useful when you want to override or extend a method from the parent class. By using super, you can ensure that the parent version of the method is still executed before the child's implementation.

For example, the syntax super.aMethod() would call the method aMethod() from the parent class. This allows you to execute the parent's implementation of the method before or after the child's implementation.

For more comprehensive information and tutorials on how to effectively use super() in Java, refer to the documentation linked in the given answer.

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