Calling an abstract method in super class's construtor in Java

Question

Since the subclass is not constructed yet, is it unsafe to call an abstract method in a super class constructor?

However, if the method's behaviour does not depend on the constrction of subclass, eg just return a constant with regard to the subclass, is it still unsafe or will it work reliably?

Moreover, if it works, how to do it if I do not want to make the super class abstract?

Update: for last question

public class SuperClass {
      public SuperClass() {
          System.out.println(getValue());
      }   

      public String getValue() {
          return "superclass";
      }   

      public static void main(String[] args) {
           new SubClass();
      }

}


class SubClass extends SuperClass {
      public SubClass() {
           super(); // Comment out this or not  will not affect the result
      }   

      public String getValue() {
           return "subclass";
       }   
}

I wrote a test, and figure it out: the result is : subclass Thanks to @Tim Pote's example.

Answer 1

It is generally (though not necessarily) considered unsafe. As you said, the superclass may not be fully constructed, and therefore won't be ready to handle all of the calls a subclass might make in its overridden method.

However, in the case that all subclasses simply return a constant that isn't dependent on any other method, then it should be fine. The only downside is that you can't guarantee that a subclass will override that method in an appropriate manner.

In regards to your last question: this isn't an issue of an abstract vs. concrete superclass. This is an issue with calling overridable methods in a constructor. Abstract vs. concrete is beside the point.

---

Edit in response to the OP's comment

I'm not certain what you mean by "polymorphiscly". Calling a virtual method always invokes the sub-most implementation. The only time a superclasses implementation is invoked is via the super keyword. For example:

public class SuperClass {
  public SuperClass() {
    System.out.println(getValue());
  }   

  public String getValue() {
    return "superclass";
  }   

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    new SubClass();
  }   

  public static class SubClass extends SuperClass {
    public String getValue() {
      return "subclass";
    }   
  }   
}

prints subclass .

And this:

public class SuperClass {
  public SuperClass() {
    System.out.println(getValue());
  }   

  public String getValue() {
    return "superclass";
  }   

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    new SubClass();
  }   

  public static class SubClass extends SuperClass {
    public String getValue() {
      return super.getValue() + " subclass";
    }   
  }   
}

prints superclass subclass

Answer 2

As others have explained there is an inherent risk in calling abstract methods in super class constructor.

The one exception I have found is when the subclass provides some "constant" information, eg getId() , getHandledMessages() and suchlike.