Java - array of different objects that have the same method(s)

Question

I am practicing inheritance.

I have two similar classes that I\'d like to assimilate into one array, so I thought to use the Object class as a superclass since ever

Answer 1

If both classes implement the same method(s), you should consider creating an interface.

Interfaces are very powerful and easy to use.

You could call your interface Shootable.

You can create an array of different objects that implement Shootable and treat them all the same.

// Define a VERY simple interface with one method.

interface Shootable {
    public void beingShot();
}

// Any class that implements this interface can be treated interchangeably

class Revolver implements Shootable {
    public void beingShot() {
        System.out.println("Revolver: firing 1 round");
}

class MachineGun implements Shootable {
    public void beingShot() {
        System.out.println("Machine Gun: firing 50 rounds");
    }
}

class HockeyPuck implements Shootable {
    public void beingShot() {
        System.out.println("Hockey Puck: 80 MPH slapshot");
    }
}

class RayBourquePuck implements Shootable {
    public void beingShot() {
        System.out.println("Hockey Puck: 110 MPH slapshot");
    }
}

class OunceOfWhiskey implements Shootable {
    public void beingShot() {
        System.out.println("Whiskey Shot: 1 oz down the hatch...");
    }
}

// You can declare an array of objects that implement Shootable

Shootable[] shooters = new Shootable[4];

// You can store any Shootable object in your array:

shooters[0] = new MachineGun();
shooters[1] = new Revolver();
shooters[2] = new HockeyPuck();
shooters[3] = new OunceOfWhiskey();

// A Shootable object can reference any item from the array

Shootable anyShootableItem;

// The same object can to refer to a MachineGun OR a HockeyPuck

anyShootableItem = shooters[0];
anyShootableItem.beingShot();

anyShootableItem = shooters[2];
anyShootableItem.beingShot();

// You can call beingShot on any item from the array without casting

shooters[0].beingShot();
shooters[1].beingShot();

// Let's shoot each object for fun:

for (Shootable s : shooters) {
    s.beingShot();
}

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