Default methods in Java 8

The problem

interface Automobile{
    void engineStart();
    void engineStop();
}

class Car implements Automobile{
    public void engineStart() { }
    public void engineStop() { }
}

class Bus implements Automobile{
    public void engineStart() { }
    public void engineStop() { }
}

• Just think we need to add another method in the interface in the future.
• But if we add it, we have to change all other classes which are implemented that interface.

Default methods

• To overcome this, default methods are introduced in Java 1.8
• The interface segregation principle can be replaced with default methods in Java.
• This is the best option to change the existing interfaces without changing implemented classes.
• Until Java 1.7 every method inside an interface is always public and abstract.
• In 1.8 version default and static methods are also allowed.
• In 1.9 version private methods are also allowed.
• Default methods can be overridden in implementing class.
• Default methods cannot be overridden object class's methods.

The solution using Java 8 default methods

interface Automobile{
    default void m1(){}
}

interface Car{
    default void m1(){}
}

class Mazda3 implements Automobile, Car{
    public void m1() { }
}

• In such cases you have to override the default method.
• Otherwise Mazda3 class won't be able to find which m1( ) method needs to be called.

Or else you can use it like this also using the "super" keyword.

interface Automobile{
    default void m1(){}
}

interface Car{
    default void m1(){}
}

class Mazda3 implements Automobile, Car{
    public void m1() {
        Automobile.super.m1();    
    }
}