Array of different class objects in java

Question

I am trying to create an array of different objects and call class methods for individual objects.

class A
{
    int ID,
    String name,
    public int getID()
    {
        return ID;
    }
    public void setID(int id
    {
        ID = id;
    }
}
class B extends A
{
    string name;
    public string getName()
    {
        return name;
    }
    public void setName(string n)
    { 
        name = n;
    }
}
class Implement
{
    public static void main(string[] args)
    {
        A[] a1 = new A[2];
        a1[0] = new B();
        a1[1] = new B();
        a1[0].setID(123);
        a1[0].setName("John"); //Error
    }
}

I am not able to access the B class method. Can any one help me understand why it is not allowing me to access and how to achieve this... Appreciate your help.. Thanks

Reimeus · Accepted Answer · 2015-08-31 21:14:25Z

2

Unlike setID, A doesnt have a setName method so there's no polymorphism for that method.

edited Aug 31, 2015 at 21:14

answered Aug 31, 2015 at 20:30

Reimeus

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1 Comment

amesome Over a year ago

Thanks for your time. Now i understand better.

Gsquare · Accepted Answer · 2015-08-31 20:34:32Z

0

This is because the reference type of a[0] is of parent class A where the method setName is not defined. To be able to call setname you can cast a[0] to type B

answered Aug 31, 2015 at 20:34

Gsquare

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Comments

JeredM · Accepted Answer · 2015-08-31 20:36:52Z

0

There are several syntax errors in your code. Also, you are creating the array with type A and setName is in type B. Here is updated code:

class A
{
    int ID;
    String name;
    public int getID()
    {
        return ID;
    }
    public void setID(int id)
    {
        ID = id;
    }
}
class B extends A
{
    String name;
    public String getName()
    {
        return name;
    }
    public void setName(String n)
    { 
        name = n;
    }
}
class Implement
{
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        B[] a1 = new B[2];
        a1[0] = new B();
        a1[1] = new B();
        a1[0].setID(123);
        a1[0].setName("John");
    }
}

answered Aug 31, 2015 at 20:36

JeredM

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Comments

coou · Accepted Answer · 2015-08-31 20:39:50Z

0

Copy your code instead of retyping it. There are a lot of typos in here. Use this:

class Implement
{
     public static void main(String[] args)
     {
        A[] a1 = new A[2];
        a1[0] = new B();
        a1[1] = new B();
        a1[0].setID(123);
        ((B)a1[0]).setName("John"); //No error
      }
}

answered Aug 31, 2015 at 20:39

coou

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Comments

pmartin8 · Accepted Answer · 2015-09-01 15:34:00Z

0

Because the compiler thinks every item of your list "is a" A because you declared a1 as a list of A. You can only call methods that belong to A. Suppose the 3rd item of your list was of type A, then you'd never be able to call setName() on it. Now, if you are certain that the 1st item of your list is a B, you can cast it:

((B)a1[0]).setName("name");

If you really want to use polymorphism, you need setName() to be defined on the parent class (A). Then, all the children can redefine what setName() does.

edited Sep 1, 2015 at 15:34

answered Aug 31, 2015 at 20:35

pmartin8

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1 Comment

amesome Over a year ago

Thanks for the reply. Now I understand better.

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