Scribd
Upload
3 views2 pages

Upcasting_and_Downcasting_in_Java

Upcasting in Java is the automatic conversion of a subclass type to a superclass type, allowing access only to superclass methods, while downcasting is the manual conversion back to a subclass type to access subclass-specific members. Upcasting is implicit and safe, whereas downcasting is explicit and can lead to a ClassCastException if not properly checked. Key differences include the type of casting, risk involved, and the purpose of generalization versus specialization.

Uploaded by

sathish kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views2 pages

Upcasting_and_Downcasting_in_Java

Upcasting in Java is the automatic conversion of a subclass type to a superclass type, allowing access only to superclass methods, while downcasting is the manual conversion back to a subclass type to access subclass-specific members. Upcasting is implicit and safe, whereas downcasting is explicit and can lead to a ClassCastException if not properly checked. Key differences include the type of casting, risk involved, and the purpose of generalization versus specialization.

Uploaded by

sathish kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Upcasting and Downcasting in Java

1. Upcasting
Definition:
Upcasting is the process of converting a subclass type to a superclass type. It is done
automatically in Java (implicit casting) and is also known as widening. When you upcast,
you can only access the methods and variables of the superclass, but if a method is
overridden in the subclass, the subclass's version will be called at runtime.

Example (Upcasting):

class Animal {
void sound() {
System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
}
}

class Dog extends Animal {


@Override
void sound() {
System.out.println("Dog barks");
}

void fetch() {
System.out.println("Dog fetches the ball");
}
}

public class Main {


public static void main(String[] args) {
Animal a = new Dog(); // Upcasting
a.sound(); // Calls Dog's overridden method
// a.fetch(); // Not allowed, Animal reference doesn't know
fetch()
}
}

Output:
Dog barks
2. Downcasting
Definition:
Downcasting is the process of converting a superclass type back to a subclass type. It is
done manually using a cast operator and is also known as narrowing. Downcasting is
needed when you want to access subclass-specific members from a superclass reference.
You must ensure the object is actually an instance of the subclass before downcasting,
otherwise a ClassCastException will occur.

Example (Downcasting):

public class Main {


public static void main(String[] args) {
Animal a = new Dog(); // Upcasting
a.sound(); // Calls Dog's overridden method

Dog d = (Dog) a; // Downcasting


d.fetch(); // Now accessible after downcasting
}
}

Output:
Dog barks
Dog fetches the ball

Key Differences between Upcasting and Downcasting:


Feature Upcasting Downcasting

Definition Converting subclass type to Converting superclass type


superclass type to subclass type

Type Widening Narrowing

Casting Implicit Explicit

Risk No risk of Possible ClassCastException


ClassCastException if not checked

Access Only superclass members Both superclass and


accessible subclass members
accessible

Purpose Generalization Specialization

You might also like