What is Final Keyword In Java?

The final keyword in java is used to restrict the user. The java final keyword can be used in many context. Final can be:

1. variable
2. method
3. class

The final keyword can be applied with the variables, a final variable that have no value it is called blank final variable or uninitialized final variable. It can be initialized in the constructor only. 

The blank final variable can be static also which will be initialized in the static block only. We will have detailed learning of these. Let's first learn the basics of final keyword.

1) Java final variable

If you make any variable as final, you cannot change the value of final variable(It will be constant).

Example of final variable

There is a final variable speedlimit, we are going to change the value of this variable, but It can't be changed because final variable once assigned a value can never be changed.

1. class Bike9{  
2.  final int speedlimit=90;//final variable  
3.  void run(){  
4.   speedlimit=400;  
5.  }  
6.  public static void main(String args[]){  
7.  Bike9 obj=new  Bike9();  
8.  obj.run();  
9.  }  
10. }//end of class  

Output:Compile Time Error

2) Java final method

If you make any method as final, you cannot override it.

Example of final method

1. class Bike{  
2.   final void run(){System.out.println("running");}  
3. }  
4.      
5. class Honda extends Bike{  
6.    void run(){System.out.println("running safely with 100kmph");}  
7.      
8.    public static void main(String args[]){  
9.    Honda honda= new Honda();  
10.    honda.run();  
11.    }  
12. }  

Output:Compile Time Error

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3) Java final class

If you make any class as final, you cannot extend it.

Example of final class

1. final class Bike{}  
2.   
3. class Honda1 extends Bike{  
4.   void run(){System.out.println("running safely with 100kmph");}  
5.     
6.   public static void main(String args[]){  
7.   Honda1 honda= new Honda1();  
8.   honda.run();  
9.   }  
10. }  

Output:Compile Time Error

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Q) Is final method inherited?

Ans) Yes, final method is inherited but you cannot override it. For Example:

1. class Bike{  
2.   final void run(){System.out.println("running...");}  
3. }  
4. class Honda2 extends Bike{  
5.    public static void main(String args[]){  
6.     new Honda2().run();  
7.    }  
8. }  

Output:running...

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Q) What is blank or uninitialized final variable?

A final variable that is not initialized at the time of declaration is known as blank final variable.

If you want to create a variable that is initialized at the time of creating object and once initialized may not be changed, it is useful. For example PAN CARD number of an employee.

It can be initialized only in constructor.

Example of blank final variable

1. class Student{  
2. int id;  
3. String name;  
4. final String PAN_CARD_NUMBER;  
5. ...  
6. }  

Que) Can we initialize blank final variable?

Yes, but only in constructor. For example:

1. class Bike10{  
2.   final int speedlimit;//blank final variable  
3.     
4.   Bike10(){  
5.   speedlimit=70;  
6.   System.out.println(speedlimit);  
7.   }  
8.   
9.   public static void main(String args[]){  
10.     new Bike10();  
11.  }  
12. }  

Output: 70

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static blank final variable

A static final variable that is not initialized at the time of declaration is known as static blank final variable. It can be initialized only in static block.

Example of static blank final variable

1. class A{  
2.   static final int data;//static blank final variable  
3.   static{ data=50;}  
4.   public static void main(String args[]){  
5.     System.out.println(A.data);  
6.  }  
7. }  

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Q) What is final parameter?

If you declare any parameter as final, you cannot change the value of it.

1. class Bike11{  
2.   int cube(final int n){  
3.    n=n+2;//can't be changed as n is final  
4.    n*n*n;  
5.   }  
6.   public static void main(String args[]){  
7.     Bike11 b=new Bike11();  
8.     b.cube(5);  
9.  }  
10. }  

Output: Compile Time Error

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Q) Can we declare a constructor final?

No, because constructor is never inherited.