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Java super Keyword

❮ Java Keywords


Example

Using super to call the superclass of Dog (subclass):

class Animal { // Superclass (parent)
  public void animalSound() {
    System.out.println("The animal makes a sound");
  }
}

class Dog extends Animal { // Subclass (child)
  public void animalSound() {
    super.animalSound(); // Call the superclass method
    System.out.println("The dog says: bow wow");
  }
}

public class MyMainClass {
  public static void main(String args[]) {
    Animal myDog = new Dog(); // Create a Dog object
    myDog.animalSound(); // Call the method on the Dog object
  }
}

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Definition and Usage

The super keyword refers to superclass (parent) objects.

It is used to call superclass methods, and to access the superclass constructor.

The most common use of the super keyword is to eliminate the confusion between superclasses and subclasses that have methods with the same name.

To understand the super keyword, you should have a basic understanding of Inheritance and Polymorphism.


Related Pages

Read more about inheritance (subclasses and superclasses) in our Java Inheritance Tutorial.

Read more about polymorphism in our Java Polymorphism Tutorial.


❮ Java Keywords