Can we instantiate an abstract class? Is it possible?

Question

I read in SCJP6 that an abstract class cannot be instantiated. But read somewhere that they can be instantiated. Is is true? I am new to Java and would like if anyone could explain this in detail. An example would also be a good.

Also: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/30125552/does-the-jvm-internally-instantiate-an-object-for-an-abstract-class/30125593#30125593 — T.J. Crowder, May 10 '15 at 06:23

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

1

From the Java documentation:

Abstract classes cannot be instantiated, but they can be subclassed.

Abstract classes are similar to interfaces. You cannot instantiate them...

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

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answered May 10 '15 at 06:10

Ori Lentz

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score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered May 10 '15 at 06:13

You can create a reference of an abstract class, but cant instantiate it. For eg.

public abstract class AbstractClass {

    public abstract void abstractMethod();
    public  void concreteMethod(){
        System.out.println("am in concreteMethod");
    }

}

public class ExtndClass extends AbstractClass{

    @Override
    public void abstractMethod() {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub
        System.out.println(" am in extended class");
    }
    public static void main(String...arg){
        AbstractClass abs = new ExtndClass();
        abs.abstractMethod();
        abs.concreteMethod();

    }

}

Output:

am in extended class
am in concreteMethod

Can we instantiate an abstract class? Is it possible?

2 Answers2