Introduction
In this article along with the demo project I will discuss Interfaces versus Abstract classes. The concept ofAbstract classes and Interfaces is a bit confusing for beginners of Object Oriented programming. Therefore, I am trying to discuss the theoretical aspects of both the concepts and compare their usage. And finally I will demonstrate how to use them with C#.
Background
An Abstract class without any implementation just looks like an Interface; however there are lot of differences than similarities between an Abstract class and an Interface. Let's explain both concepts and compare their similarities and differences.
What is an Abstract Class?
An abstract class is a special kind of class that cannot be instantiated. So the question is why we need a class that cannot be instantiated? An abstract class is only to be sub-classed (inherited from). In other words, it only allows other classes to inherit from it but cannot be instantiated. The advantage is that it enforces certain hierarchies for all the subclasses. In simple words, it is a kind of contract that forces all the subclasses to carry on the same hierarchies or standards.
What is an Interface?
An interface is not a class. It is an entity that is defined by the word Interface. An interface has no implementation; it only has the signature or in other words, just the definition of the methods without the body. As one of the similarities to Abstract class, it is a contract that is used to define hierarchies for all subclasses or it defines specific set of methods and their arguments. The main difference between them is that a class can implement more than one interface but can only inherit from one abstract class. Since C# doesn�t support multiple inheritance, interfaces are used to implement multiple inheritance.
Both Together
When we create an interface, we are basically creating a set of methods without any implementation that must be overridden by the implemented classes. The advantage is that it provides a way for a class to be a part of two classes: one from inheritance hierarchy and one from the interface.
When we create an abstract class, we are creating a base class that might have one or more completed methods but at least one or more methods are left uncompleted and declared abstract. If all the methods of an abstract class are uncompleted then it is same as an interface. The purpose of an abstract class is to provide a base class definition for how a set of derived classes will work and then allow the programmers to fill the implementation in the derived classes.
There are some similarities and differences between an interface and an abstract class that I have arranged in a table for easier comparison:
Using the Code
Let me explain the code to make it a bit easier. There is an Employee abstract class and an IEmployeeinterface. Within the Abstract class and the Interface entity I am commenting on the differences between the artifacts.
I am testing both the Abstract class and the Interface by implementing objects from them. From theEmployee abstract class, we have inherited one object: Emp_Fulltime. Similarly from IEmployee we have inherited one object: Emp_Fulltime2.
In the test code under the GUI, I am creating instances of both Emp_Fulltime and Emp_Fulltime2 and then setting their attributes and finally calling the calculateWage method of the objects.
Abstract Class Employee
Emp_Fulltime:
In the above examples, I have explained the differences between an abstract class and an interface. I have also implemented a demo project which uses both abstract class and interface and shows the differences in their implementation.
In this article along with the demo project I will discuss Interfaces versus Abstract classes. The concept ofAbstract classes and Interfaces is a bit confusing for beginners of Object Oriented programming. Therefore, I am trying to discuss the theoretical aspects of both the concepts and compare their usage. And finally I will demonstrate how to use them with C#.
Background
An Abstract class without any implementation just looks like an Interface; however there are lot of differences than similarities between an Abstract class and an Interface. Let's explain both concepts and compare their similarities and differences.
What is an Abstract Class?
An abstract class is a special kind of class that cannot be instantiated. So the question is why we need a class that cannot be instantiated? An abstract class is only to be sub-classed (inherited from). In other words, it only allows other classes to inherit from it but cannot be instantiated. The advantage is that it enforces certain hierarchies for all the subclasses. In simple words, it is a kind of contract that forces all the subclasses to carry on the same hierarchies or standards.
What is an Interface?
An interface is not a class. It is an entity that is defined by the word Interface. An interface has no implementation; it only has the signature or in other words, just the definition of the methods without the body. As one of the similarities to Abstract class, it is a contract that is used to define hierarchies for all subclasses or it defines specific set of methods and their arguments. The main difference between them is that a class can implement more than one interface but can only inherit from one abstract class. Since C# doesn�t support multiple inheritance, interfaces are used to implement multiple inheritance.
Both Together
When we create an interface, we are basically creating a set of methods without any implementation that must be overridden by the implemented classes. The advantage is that it provides a way for a class to be a part of two classes: one from inheritance hierarchy and one from the interface.
When we create an abstract class, we are creating a base class that might have one or more completed methods but at least one or more methods are left uncompleted and declared abstract. If all the methods of an abstract class are uncompleted then it is same as an interface. The purpose of an abstract class is to provide a base class definition for how a set of derived classes will work and then allow the programmers to fill the implementation in the derived classes.
There are some similarities and differences between an interface and an abstract class that I have arranged in a table for easier comparison:
| Feature | Interface | Abstract class |
| Multiple inheritance | A class may inherit severalinterfaces. | A class may inherit only one abstract class. |
| Default implementation | An interface cannot provide any code, just the signature. | An abstract class can provide complete, default code and/or just the details that have to be overridden. |
| Access Modfiers | An interface cannot have access modifiers for the subs, functions, properties etc everything is assumed as public | An abstract class can contain access modifiers for the subs, functions, properties |
| Core VS Peripheral | Interfaces are used to define the peripheral abilities of a class. In other words both Human and Vehicle can inherit from a IMovableinterface. | An abstract class defines the core identity of a class and there it is used for objects of the same type. |
| Homogeneity | If various implementations only share method signatures then it is better to use Interfaces. | If various implementations are of the same kind and use common behaviour or status then abstractclass is better to use. |
| Speed | Requires more time to find the actual method in the corresponding classes. | Fast |
| Adding functionality (Versioning) | If we add a new method to an Interface then we have to track down all the implementations of theinterface and define implementation for the new method. | If we add a new method to an abstract class then we have the option of providing default implementation and therefore all the existing code might work properly. |
| Fields and Constants | No fields can be defined ininterfaces | An abstract class can have fields and constrants defined |
Let me explain the code to make it a bit easier. There is an Employee abstract class and an IEmployeeinterface. Within the Abstract class and the Interface entity I am commenting on the differences between the artifacts.
I am testing both the Abstract class and the Interface by implementing objects from them. From theEmployee abstract class, we have inherited one object: Emp_Fulltime. Similarly from IEmployee we have inherited one object: Emp_Fulltime2.
In the test code under the GUI, I am creating instances of both Emp_Fulltime and Emp_Fulltime2 and then setting their attributes and finally calling the calculateWage method of the objects.
Abstract Class Employee
using System;
namespace AbstractsANDInterfaces
{
///
/// Summary description for Employee.
///
public abstract class Employee
{
//we can have fields and properties
//in the Abstract class
protected String id;
protected String lname;
protected String fname;
//properties
public abstract String ID
{
get;
set;
}
public abstract String FirstName
{
get;
set;
}
public abstract String LastName
{
get;
set;
}
//completed methods
public String Update()
{
return "Employee " + id + " " +
lname + " " + fname +
" updated";
}
//completed methods
public String Add()
{
return "Employee " + id + " " +
lname + " " + fname +
" added";
}
//completed methods
public String Delete()
{
return "Employee " + id + " " +
lname + " " + fname +
" deleted";
}
//completed methods
public String Search()
{
return "Employee " + id + " " +
lname + " " + fname +
" found";
}
//abstract method that is different
//from Fulltime and Contractor
//therefore i keep it uncompleted and
//let each implementation
//complete it the way they calculate the wage.
public abstract String CalculateWage();
}
}
Interface Employeenamespace AbstractsANDInterfaces
{
///
/// Summary description for Employee.
///
public abstract class Employee
{
//we can have fields and properties
//in the Abstract class
protected String id;
protected String lname;
protected String fname;
//properties
public abstract String ID
{
get;
set;
}
public abstract String FirstName
{
get;
set;
}
public abstract String LastName
{
get;
set;
}
//completed methods
public String Update()
{
return "Employee " + id + " " +
lname + " " + fname +
" updated";
}
//completed methods
public String Add()
{
return "Employee " + id + " " +
lname + " " + fname +
" added";
}
//completed methods
public String Delete()
{
return "Employee " + id + " " +
lname + " " + fname +
" deleted";
}
//completed methods
public String Search()
{
return "Employee " + id + " " +
lname + " " + fname +
" found";
}
//abstract method that is different
//from Fulltime and Contractor
//therefore i keep it uncompleted and
//let each implementation
//complete it the way they calculate the wage.
public abstract String CalculateWage();
}
}
using System;
namespace AbstractsANDInterfaces
{
/// <summary>
/// Summary description for IEmployee.
/// </summary>
public interface IEmployee
{
//cannot have fields. uncommenting
//will raise error!
// protected String id;
// protected String lname;
// protected String fname;
//just signature of the properties
//and methods.
//setting a rule or contract to be
//followed by implementations.
String ID
{
get;
set;
}
String FirstName
{
get;
set;
}
String LastName
{
get;
set;
}
// cannot have implementation
// cannot have modifiers public
// etc all are assumed public
// cannot have virtual
String Update();
String Add();
String Delete();
String Search();
String CalculateWage();
}
}
Inherited Objectsnamespace AbstractsANDInterfaces
{
/// <summary>
/// Summary description for IEmployee.
/// </summary>
public interface IEmployee
{
//cannot have fields. uncommenting
//will raise error!
// protected String id;
// protected String lname;
// protected String fname;
//just signature of the properties
//and methods.
//setting a rule or contract to be
//followed by implementations.
String ID
{
get;
set;
}
String FirstName
{
get;
set;
}
String LastName
{
get;
set;
}
// cannot have implementation
// cannot have modifiers public
// etc all are assumed public
// cannot have virtual
String Update();
String Add();
String Delete();
String Search();
String CalculateWage();
}
}
Emp_Fulltime:
using System;
namespace AbstractsANDInterfaces
{
///
/// Summary description for Emp_Fulltime.
///
//Inheriting from the Abstract class
public class Emp_Fulltime : Employee
{
//uses all the properties of the
//Abstract class therefore no
//properties or fields here!
public Emp_Fulltime()
{
}
public override String ID
{
get
{
return id;
}
set
{
id = value;
}
}
public override String FirstName
{
get
{
return fname;
}
set
{
fname = value;
}
}
public override String LastName
{
get
{
return lname;
}
set
{
lname = value;
}
}
//common methods that are
//implemented in the abstract class
public new String Add()
{
return base.Add();
}
//common methods that are implemented
//in the abstract class
public new String Delete()
{
return base.Delete();
}
//common methods that are implemented
//in the abstract class
public new String Search()
{
return base.Search();
}
//common methods that are implemented
//in the abstract class
public new String Update()
{
return base.Update();
}
//abstract method that is different
//from Fulltime and Contractor
//therefore I override it here.
public override String CalculateWage()
{
return "Full time employee " +
base.fname + " is calculated " +
"using the Abstract class...";
}
}
}
Emp_Fulltime2:namespace AbstractsANDInterfaces
{
///
/// Summary description for Emp_Fulltime.
///
//Inheriting from the Abstract class
public class Emp_Fulltime : Employee
{
//uses all the properties of the
//Abstract class therefore no
//properties or fields here!
public Emp_Fulltime()
{
}
public override String ID
{
get
{
return id;
}
set
{
id = value;
}
}
public override String FirstName
{
get
{
return fname;
}
set
{
fname = value;
}
}
public override String LastName
{
get
{
return lname;
}
set
{
lname = value;
}
}
//common methods that are
//implemented in the abstract class
public new String Add()
{
return base.Add();
}
//common methods that are implemented
//in the abstract class
public new String Delete()
{
return base.Delete();
}
//common methods that are implemented
//in the abstract class
public new String Search()
{
return base.Search();
}
//common methods that are implemented
//in the abstract class
public new String Update()
{
return base.Update();
}
//abstract method that is different
//from Fulltime and Contractor
//therefore I override it here.
public override String CalculateWage()
{
return "Full time employee " +
base.fname + " is calculated " +
"using the Abstract class...";
}
}
}
using System;
namespace AbstractsANDInterfaces
{
///
/// Summary description for Emp_fulltime2.
///
//Implementing the interface
public class Emp_fulltime2 : IEmployee
{
//All the properties and
//fields are defined here!
protected String id;
protected String lname;
protected String fname;
public Emp_fulltime2()
{
//
// TODO: Add constructor logic here
//
}
public String ID
{
get
{
return id;
}
set
{
id = value;
}
}
public String FirstName
{
get
{
return fname;
}
set
{
fname = value;
}
}
public String LastName
{
get
{
return lname;
}
set
{
lname = value;
}
}
//all the manipulations including Add,Delete,
//Search, Update, Calculate are done
//within the object as there are not
//implementation in the Interface entity.
public String Add()
{
return "Fulltime Employee " +
fname + " added.";
}
public String Delete()
{
return "Fulltime Employee " +
fname + " deleted.";
}
public String Search()
{
return "Fulltime Employee " +
fname + " searched.";
}
public String Update()
{
return "Fulltime Employee " +
fname + " updated.";
}
//if you change to Calculatewage().
//Just small 'w' it will raise
//error as in interface
//it is CalculateWage() with capital 'W'.
public String CalculateWage()
{
return "Full time employee " +
fname + " caluculated using " +
"Interface.";
}
}
}
Code for Testingnamespace AbstractsANDInterfaces
{
///
/// Summary description for Emp_fulltime2.
///
//Implementing the interface
public class Emp_fulltime2 : IEmployee
{
//All the properties and
//fields are defined here!
protected String id;
protected String lname;
protected String fname;
public Emp_fulltime2()
{
//
// TODO: Add constructor logic here
//
}
public String ID
{
get
{
return id;
}
set
{
id = value;
}
}
public String FirstName
{
get
{
return fname;
}
set
{
fname = value;
}
}
public String LastName
{
get
{
return lname;
}
set
{
lname = value;
}
}
//all the manipulations including Add,Delete,
//Search, Update, Calculate are done
//within the object as there are not
//implementation in the Interface entity.
public String Add()
{
return "Fulltime Employee " +
fname + " added.";
}
public String Delete()
{
return "Fulltime Employee " +
fname + " deleted.";
}
public String Search()
{
return "Fulltime Employee " +
fname + " searched.";
}
public String Update()
{
return "Fulltime Employee " +
fname + " updated.";
}
//if you change to Calculatewage().
//Just small 'w' it will raise
//error as in interface
//it is CalculateWage() with capital 'W'.
public String CalculateWage()
{
return "Full time employee " +
fname + " caluculated using " +
"Interface.";
}
}
}
//This is the sub that tests both
//implementations using Interface and Abstract
private void InterfaceExample_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
try
{
IEmployee emp;
Emp_fulltime2 emp1 = new Emp_fulltime2();
emp = emp1;
emp.ID = "2234";
emp.FirstName= "Rahman" ;
emp.LastName = "Mahmoodi" ;
//call add method od the object
MessageBox.Show(emp.Add().ToString());
//call the CalculateWage method
MessageBox.Show(emp.CalculateWage().ToString());
}
catch(Exception ex)
{
MessageBox.Show(ex.Message);
}
}
private void cmdAbstractExample_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
Employee emp;
emp = new Emp_Fulltime();
emp.ID = "2244";
emp.FirstName= "Maria" ;
emp.LastName = "Robinlius" ;
MessageBox.Show(emp.Add().ToString());
//call the CalculateWage method
MessageBox.Show(emp.CalculateWage().ToString());
}
Conclusion//implementations using Interface and Abstract
private void InterfaceExample_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
try
{
IEmployee emp;
Emp_fulltime2 emp1 = new Emp_fulltime2();
emp = emp1;
emp.ID = "2234";
emp.FirstName= "Rahman" ;
emp.LastName = "Mahmoodi" ;
//call add method od the object
MessageBox.Show(emp.Add().ToString());
//call the CalculateWage method
MessageBox.Show(emp.CalculateWage().ToString());
}
catch(Exception ex)
{
MessageBox.Show(ex.Message);
}
}
private void cmdAbstractExample_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
Employee emp;
emp = new Emp_Fulltime();
emp.ID = "2244";
emp.FirstName= "Maria" ;
emp.LastName = "Robinlius" ;
MessageBox.Show(emp.Add().ToString());
//call the CalculateWage method
MessageBox.Show(emp.CalculateWage().ToString());
}
In the above examples, I have explained the differences between an abstract class and an interface. I have also implemented a demo project which uses both abstract class and interface and shows the differences in their implementation.
Since multiple inheritance is bad (it makes the source more complicated) C# does not provide such a pattern directly. But sometimes it would be helpful to have this ability.
For instance I'm able to implement the missing multiple inheritance pattern using interfaces and three classes like that:
Is there a way to inject multiple existing classes into one new class like it is possible in C++?
Maybe there is a solution using some kind of code generation?
Or it may look like this (imaginary c# syntax):
Maybe it would be better to consider a practical example:
You have an existing class (e.g. a text based TCP client based on ITextTcpClient) which you do already use at different locations inside your project. Now you feel the need to create a component of your class to be easy accessible for windows forms developers.
As far as I know you currently have two ways to do this:
To avoid conflicts this may be done by code generation where the result could be altered afterwards but typing this by hand is a pure pain in the ass.
For instance I'm able to implement the missing multiple inheritance pattern using interfaces and three classes like that:
<span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">interface</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">IFirst</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">void</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">FirstMethod</span><span class="pun">();</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"><br /></span><span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">interface</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">ISecond</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">void</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">SecondMethod</span><span class="pun">();</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"><br /><br /></span><span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">class</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">First</span><span class="pun">:</span><span class="typ">IFirst</span><span class="pln"> <br /></span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> <br /> </span><span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">void</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">FirstMethod</span><span class="pun">()</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">Console</span><span class="pun">.</span><span class="typ">WriteLine</span><span class="pun">(</span><span class="str">"Frist"</span><span class="pun">);</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"> <br /></span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"><br /><br /></span><span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">class</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">Second</span><span class="pun">:</span><span class="typ">ISecond</span><span class="pln"> <br /></span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> <br /> </span><span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">void</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">SecondMethod</span><span class="pun">()</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">Console</span><span class="pun">.</span><span class="typ">WriteLine</span><span class="pun">(</span><span class="str">"Second"</span><span class="pun">);</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"> <br /></span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"><br /><br /></span><span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">class</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">FirstAndSecond</span><span class="pun">:</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">IFirst</span><span class="pun">,</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">ISecond</span><span class="pln"><br /></span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"><br /> </span><span class="typ">First</span><span class="pln"> first </span><span class="pun">=</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">new</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">First</span><span class="pun">();</span><span class="pln"><br /> </span><span class="typ">Second</span><span class="pln"> second </span><span class="pun">=</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">new</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">Second</span><span class="pun">();</span><span class="pln"><br /> </span><span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">void</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">FirstMethod</span><span class="pun">()</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> first</span><span class="pun">.</span><span class="typ">FirstMethod</span><span class="pun">();</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"><br /> </span><span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">void</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">SecondMethod</span><span class="pun">()</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> second</span><span class="pun">.</span><span class="typ">SecondMethod</span><span class="pun">();</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"><br /></span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"><br /></span>Is there a way to inject multiple existing classes into one new class like it is possible in C++?
Maybe there is a solution using some kind of code generation?
Or it may look like this (imaginary c# syntax):
<span class="kwd">public</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">class</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">FirstAndSecond</span><span class="pun">:</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">IFirst</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">from</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">First</span><span class="pun">,</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">ISecond</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="kwd">from</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="typ">Second</span><span class="pln"><br /></span><span class="pun">{</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">}</span><span class="pln"><br /></span>Maybe it would be better to consider a practical example:
You have an existing class (e.g. a text based TCP client based on ITextTcpClient) which you do already use at different locations inside your project. Now you feel the need to create a component of your class to be easy accessible for windows forms developers.
As far as I know you currently have two ways to do this:
- Write a new class that is inherited from components and implements the interface of the TextTcpClient class using an instance of the class itself as shown with FirstAndSecond.
- Write a new class that inherits from TextTcpClient and somehow implements IComponent (haven't actually tried this yet).
To avoid conflicts this may be done by code generation where the result could be altered afterwards but typing this by hand is a pure pain in the ass.
No comments:
Post a Comment