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Abstract Class versus Interface

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7 Jan 2008CPOL4 min read 2.6M   11.1K   559   170
Abstract class versus Interface: Usage and Implementation.
This article is meant to be a theoretical and practical overview of Interfaces and Abstract classes. In the article, I have explain the differences between an abstract class and an interface. I have also implemented a demo project which uses both abstract class and interface and show the differences in their implementation with code examples.

Introduction

In this article along with the demo project I will discuss Interfaces versus Abstract classes. The concept of Abstract 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 several interfaces.

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 IMovable interface.

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 abstract class 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 the interface 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 in interfaces An abstract class can have fields and constrants defined

Using the Code

Let me explain the code to make it a bit easier. There is an Employee abstract class and an IEmployee interface. 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 the Employee 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

C#
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 Employee

C#
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 Objects

Emp_Fulltime:

C#
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:

C#
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 Testing

C#
//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

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.

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Software Developer
Australia Australia
Rahman is a very experienced software developer with 10+ years of experience in different programming languages. Has experience in both Web Application Development and Desktop Line of Business Application development.

At the moment his area of interest are .Net both C# and VB.Net, Client side UI frameworks like AngularJs, Bootstrap, etc. Application Architecture, Dependency Injection, Use case Driven Development, Test Driven Development, MOQ etc.

He has Bachelor of Computing with Distinction Grade from University of Western Sydney.

Comments and Discussions

 
QuestionMessage Closed Pin
14-Feb-21 21:28
Saugat Khatri14-Feb-21 21:28 
Generalalso check Pin
extremjava1-Mar-20 5:08
extremjava1-Mar-20 5:08 
Questionthis project provides a great review for a job interview Pin
phonix727-Oct-18 4:44
phonix727-Oct-18 4:44 
PraiseAwesome Explanation Pin
Member 1249748215-Mar-18 8:33
Member 1249748215-Mar-18 8:33 
QuestionGreat Article! Pin
Member 115760422-Nov-17 20:54
Member 115760422-Nov-17 20:54 
Questionbut can an object class have multiple interfaces ?. Pin
PGT19-Nov-16 1:25
PGT19-Nov-16 1:25 
AnswerRe: but can an object class have multiple interfaces ?. Pin
Rahman Mahmoodi20-Nov-16 14:37
Rahman Mahmoodi20-Nov-16 14:37 
QuestionNice example Pin
Member 113017178-Oct-16 12:14
Member 113017178-Oct-16 12:14 
QuestionI'm sharing, thank for you Pin
Member 1253501915-Jun-16 22:04
Member 1253501915-Jun-16 22:04 
QuestionA class can be implemented several interfaces. Pin
Yahiya Iqbal28-Jun-15 11:03
Yahiya Iqbal28-Jun-15 11:03 
QuestionGood Explanation but why did you use 'New' keyword Pin
rajeshpv16-May-15 15:35
rajeshpv16-May-15 15:35 
QuestionNice explanation Pin
Member 45849082-May-15 5:40
Member 45849082-May-15 5:40 
QuestionCheck my version Pin
Member 1120899115-Dec-14 1:56
Member 1120899115-Dec-14 1:56 
QuestionBest HTML5 Learning Tools Pin
Sri Priya21-Nov-14 22:32
Sri Priya21-Nov-14 22:32 
QuestionNice Post Pin
Member 1120899110-Nov-14 15:12
Member 1120899110-Nov-14 15:12 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
Abhishek Shrotriya31-Oct-14 23:43
Abhishek Shrotriya31-Oct-14 23:43 
SuggestionPlease specify it in any ASPX page Pin
Hamid Khan MCA18-Sep-14 18:13
Hamid Khan MCA18-Sep-14 18:13 
QuestionHere is another practical example: Pin
dietmar paul schoder2-Aug-14 10:28
professionaldietmar paul schoder2-Aug-14 10:28 
QuestionNice Article Pin
Anurag Chaurasia29-Jul-14 1:03
Anurag Chaurasia29-Jul-14 1:03 
QuestionThanks allot Pin
Jhony_Bravo13-Jul-14 20:46
Jhony_Bravo13-Jul-14 20:46 
QuestionConstants - spelling mistake (constrants) Pin
ijesuraja14-May-14 2:28
ijesuraja14-May-14 2:28 
Answerhttp://dotnetstock.com/uncategorized/difference-abstract-class-interface-c-asp-net Pin
ocprasok26-Mar-14 7:08
ocprasok26-Mar-14 7:08 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
csharpbd18-Mar-14 6:06
professionalcsharpbd18-Mar-14 6:06 
QuestionInterface is not same as abstract class Pin
Deepak Dabas14-Mar-14 2:14
Deepak Dabas14-Mar-14 2:14 
AnswerRe: Interface is not same as abstract class Pin
csharpbd18-Mar-14 6:19
professionalcsharpbd18-Mar-14 6:19 

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