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Java

Posted by cam
cam
7,468 Points

Question on Java Inheritance and instantiating a child that has all the properties of the parent

This may be a silly question. The scenario is I have a class called "Parent" and a class called "Child" which inherits from "Parent." If I already have an instance of the parent "Bob" existing, is it possible to create an instance of "Child" with all his properties? Or is the only way to make a new child and reference all the properties of the parent in the constructor? My unsuccessful attempt to cast it is below.

Probably I am thinking about this wrong, would appreciate some input. Thanks!

public class Program {
public static void main(String[] args) {
    Parent Bob = new Parent("Bob");

    //Bob jumps in a time machine that will turn him into a child which has all the same properties as Bob

    Child LittleBob = (Child) Bob;
  }
}

public class Parent {

  String name;

  public Parent(String name) {
    this.name = name;
  }

  public void printName()
  {
    System.out.println(name);
  }
}

public class Child extends Parent {

  public Child(String name) {
    super(name);
  }

  public void scream() {
    System.out.println("REEEEE!");
  }
}