What is the purpose of the default keyword in Java

Question

An interface in Java is similar to a class, but the body of an interface can include only abstract methods and final fields (constants).

Recently, I saw a question, which looks like this

interface AnInterface {
    public default void myMethod() {
        System.out.println("D");
    }
}

According to the interface definition, only abstract methods are allowed. Why does it allow me to compile the above code? What is the default keyword?

On the other hand, when I was trying to write below code, then it says modifier default not allowed here

default class MyClass{

}

instead of

class MyClass {

}

Can anyone tell me the purpose of the default keyword? Is it only allowed inside an interface? How does it differ from default (no access modifier)?

Answer 1

The new Java 8 feature (Default Methods) allows an interface to provide an implementation when its labeled with the default keyword.

For Example:

interface Test {
    default double getAvg(int avg) {
        return avg;
    }
}
class Tester implements Test{
 //compiles just fine
}

Interface Test uses the default keyword which allows the interface to provide a default implementation of the method without the need for implementing those methods in the classes that uses the interface.

Backward compatibility: Imagine that your interface is implemented by hundreds of classes, modifying that interface will force all the users to implement the newly added method, even though its not essential for many other classes that implements your interface.

Facts & Restrictions:

1-May only be declared within an interface and not within a class or abstract class.

2-Must provide a body

3-It is not assumed to be public or abstract as other normal methods used in an interface.

Answer 2

Default methods enable you to add new functionality to the interfaces of your apps. It can also be used to have a multi inheritance. In addition to default methods, you can define static methods in interfaces. This makes it easier for you to organize helper methods

Answer 3

Default methods were added to Java 8 primarily to support lambda expressions. The designers (cleverly, in my view) decided to make lambdas syntax for creating anonymous implementations of an interface. But given lambdas can only implement a single method they would limited to interfaces with a single method which would be a pretty severe restriction. Instead, default methods were added to allow more complex interfaces to be used.

If you need some convincing of the claim that default was introduced due to lambdas, note that the straw many proposal of Project Lambda, by Mark Reinhold, in 2009, mentions 'Extension methods' as a mandatory feature to be added to support lambdas.

Here's an example demonstrating the concept:

interface Operator {
    int operate(int n);
    default int inverse(int n) {
        return -operate(n);
    }
}

public int applyInverse(int n, Operator operator) {
    return operator.inverse(n);
}

applyInverse(3, n -> n * n + 7);

Very contrived I realise but should illustrate how default supports lambdas. Because inverse is a default it can easily be overriden by a implementing class if required.

Answer 4

It's a new feature in Java 8 which allows an interface to provide an implementation. Described in Java 8 JLS-13.5.6. Interface Method Declarations which reads (in part)

Adding a default method, or changing a method from abstract to default, does not break compatibility with pre-existing binaries, but may cause an IncompatibleClassChangeError if a pre-existing binary attempts to invoke the method. This error occurs if the qualifying type, T, is a subtype of two interfaces, I and J, where both I and J declare a default method with the same signature and result, and neither I nor J is a subinterface of the other.

What's New in JDK 8 says (in part)

Default methods enable new functionality to be added to the interfaces of libraries and ensure binary compatibility with code written for older versions of those interfaces.

Answer 5

A very good explanation is found in The Java™ Tutorials, part of the explanation is as follows:

Consider an example that involves manufacturers of computer-controlled cars who publish industry-standard interfaces that describe which methods can be invoked to operate their cars. What if those computer-controlled car manufacturers add new functionality, such as flight, to their cars? These manufacturers would need to specify new methods to enable other companies (such as electronic guidance instrument manufacturers) to adapt their software to flying cars. Where would these car manufacturers declare these new flight-related methods? If they add them to their original interfaces, then programmers who have implemented those interfaces would have to rewrite their implementations. If they add them as static methods, then programmers would regard them as utility methods, not as essential, core methods.

Default methods enable you to add new functionality to the interfaces of your libraries and ensure binary compatibility with code written for older versions of those interfaces.

Answer 6

A new concept is introduced in Java 8 called default methods. Default methods are those methods which have some default implementation and helps in evolving the interfaces without breaking the existing code. Lets look at an example:

 public interface SimpleInterface {
    public void doSomeWork();

    //A default method in the interface created using "default" keyword

    default public void doSomeOtherWork(){

    System.out.println("DoSomeOtherWork implementation in the interface");
       }
    }

 class SimpleInterfaceImpl implements SimpleInterface{

  @Override
  public void doSomeWork() {
  System.out.println("Do Some Work implementation in the class");
   }

 /*
  * Not required to override to provide an implementation
  * for doSomeOtherWork.
  */

 public static void main(String[] args) {
   SimpleInterfaceImpl simpObj = new SimpleInterfaceImpl();
   simpObj.doSomeWork();
   simpObj.doSomeOtherWork();
      }
   }

and the output is:

Do Some Work implementation in the class
DoSomeOtherWork implementation in the interface