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Abstract classes and interfaces are important concepts in object-oriented programming.
An abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated and is typically used as a base class for other classes. It serves as a blueprint for derived classes and can contain both implemented and abstract methods. Abstract methods are declared without an implementation in the abstract class and must be implemented by any concrete subclass.
Abstract classes are useful when you want to define a common interface for a group of subclasses, but you want to provide some common functionality as well. They allow for code reuse and enforce a certain structure among derived classes.
An interface is a collection of abstract methods that define a contract for a class to implement. Unlike abstract classes, interfaces cannot contain any implementation details. They only define the method signatures that implementing classes must adhere to.
By implementing an interface, a class can inherit multiple method signatures and fulfill multiple contracts. This allows for greater flexibility and polymorphism in the codebase. Interfaces are often used to define common behavior across unrelated classes.
Both abstract classes and interfaces are powerful tools in object-oriented programming, providing a way to define common behavior, enforce contracts, and promote code reusability and flexibility.