class Base { int x=1; void show() { System.out.println(x); } } class Child extends Base { int x=2; public static void main(String s[]) { Child c=new Child(); c.show(); } } OUTPUT is 1. The method show is inherited in Base class but priority should be given to local variable and hence the output should have been 2 or is it that the compiler implicitly prefixes super before it??
No, it's because the Child didn't override the show() method. The only one available is the one from Base, which displays its version of x.
Try it this way - it'll display 2:
class Base { int x=1; void show() { System.out.println(x); } } class Child extends Base { int x=2; public static void main(String s[]) { Child c=new Child(); c.show(); } void show() { System.out.println(x); } } Since you are not overriding the show method in Child, the Base's version will be used. Therefore it cannot see the x variable you defined in Child. Your IDE (if you are using one) should give you a warning that you are "hiding a field".
You can achieve the expected functionality by setting the x of a Child object after instantiating it. Try:
class Base { int x = 1; void show() { System.out.println(x); } } class Child extends Base { public static void main(String s[]) { Child c = new Child(); c.show(); c.x = 2; c.show(); } } This should yield 1 and then 2.
EDIT: Note this works only when the x field is accessible from the main function.
Base class doesn't know about Child class, so the show() method will never call the variable from it's subclass.
So, if you want to show the x from the subclass override the show() method by reimplementing it in the Child class.
With one Show Method
class Child extends Base { public Child(int x) { super(x); // Assumes a constructor in the parent that accepts an int. // or super.x = x; } } Then you will only need the one show() method.
With Two Show Methods
You override the functionality of the superclass, in it's child classes, as follows:
class Child extends Base { public void show() { // OVerrides the code in the superclass. System.out.println(x); } } Which should you prefer?
You're trying to override functionality, so you should favour the second option.
