What does "final class" mean in Java?

[gimmock25]

I'm studying a Java book, and it indicates that you may define the entire class as final. I can't think of anything I'd use this for.

I'm new to programming and I'm curious whether programmers actually utilise this in their code. If they do, when do they utilise it so that I can better grasp it and know when to apply it?

Isn't it true that declaring a class final in Java prevents it from having the qualities of an object?

 

[gpuerrilla]

The main purpose of using a class being declared as final is to prevent the class from being subclassed.

Makes them unchangeable from interpretation but I don't program with Java so some others might explain it better.

 

[gimmock25]

Well thank you so much for your time.

 

[peterwalkley]

Google and stackoverflow are your best friends:

What is the point of "final class" in Java?

I am reading a book about Java and it says that you can declare the whole class as final. I cannot think of anything where I'd use this. I am just new to programming and I am wondering if program...

stackoverflow.com

 

[touch]

Google and stackoverflow are your best friends:

What is the point of "final class" in Java?

I am reading a book about Java and it says that you can declare the whole class as final. I cannot think of anything where I'd use this. I am just new to programming and I am wondering if program...

stackoverflow.com

hmm, that's weird. This thread is almost an exact copy-paste of that 11 year old stack overflow question.

OPs other question about immutability of Strings is too.

 

[Skynet5]

I almost started to answer, then read that comment above.

Some people are so different.

 

[supafly]

I have no experience with Java but in most languages final class means you cannot extend it.

 

[thedude23]

Final classes can't be extended or inherited from.