IS A Relationship in Java

In this article is a relationship in java we give the information about The “IS-A” relationship signifies that a subclass is a specialized version of its superclass, and it inherits the properties and behaviors of the superclass.

IS-A relationship in Java:

The “IS-A” relationship signifies that a subclass is a specialized version of its superclass, and it inherits the properties and behaviors of the superclass.

When we say that a subclass “is-a” superclass, we mean that the subclass is a specific type of the superclass.

For example:

If you have a superclass called “Vehicle,” you can create subclasses like “Car” and “Bicycle.” In this case, you can say that a “Car is-a Vehicle” and a “Bicycle is-a Vehicle.”

IS-A relationship in between Base-Class and Derived-Class

By using this relationship, we add the property and behavior of one class to another class without modifying the class. It is also known as Parent-Child Relationship.

This type of relationship is achieved by extends keyword.

Here extends keyword is creating a unidirectional bridge from Parent Class to Child Class.

There are 2 type of IS-A relationships exist in Java:

1. Class Inheritance (extends keyword is used)
2. Interface Inheritance (implements keyword is used)

Usage of IS-A relationship in Java:

• The main usage of IS-A relationship among Java classes is Code Reusability.
• Another usage of IS-A relationship is Overriding (Method Overriding).
• Method Overriding (Run-Time Polymorphism)
• Method Overloading (Compile-Time Polymorphism)
• In Method Overriding, the Child Class provides an implementation of a method which is already declared and defined in Parent Class

Advantages & Disadvantages of IS-A Relationship

Advantages of IS-A Relationship:

1. Reusability of our code.
2. Provides a certain level of abstraction.
3. We can extend new functionalities by simply extending the current class and provide new features in child class.

Disadvantages of IS-A Relationship:

1. Our child class is tightly coupled with our parent class. Any changes in parent class is going to affect our child class.
2. There is a loss of flexibility due to tight coupling.

HAS-A relationship in Java:

• Sometimes, we don’t need all the data variables and methods of our parent class.
• In that case we use, a special type of relationship named as HAS-A relationship.
• HAS-A relationship shows us the relation between two or more classes by connecting them with their objects.
• There is no specific keyword for HAS-A relationship, although we are going to use “new” keyword often in case of HAS-A relationship.
• It is also known as ASSOCIATION because here we are associating two or more classes through their specific reference variables & objects.
• There are two forms of ASSOCIATION which are known as COMPOSITION & AGGREGATION.

What is a Aggregation?

• It is a type of HAS-A relationship in which the bonding or association between Parent Class and Child Class is Weak
• Both classes (Parent Class and their Child Classes) are not strongly dependent on each other.
• In aggregation, one entity (objects) can exist without other entity. It is a unidirectional association.

For example, a Cat can have an engine but vice versa is not possible. This unidirectional design pattern.

Some More: 

POP- Introduction to Programming Using ‘C’

DS – Data structure Using C

OOP – Object Oriented Programming 

Java Programming

DBMS – Database Management System

RDBMS – Relational Database Management System

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