Instance Methods can be overrided, see override in java
If a subclass defines a class method with the same signature as a class method in the superclass, the method in the subclass hides the one in the superclass.
The distinction between hiding and overriding has important implications. The version of the overridden method that gets invoked is the one in the subclass. The version of the hidden method that gets invoked depends on whether it is invoked from the superclass or the subclass.
Animal.java
public class Animal { public static void testClassMethod() { System.out.println("The class" + " method in Animal."); } public void testInstanceMethod() { System.out.println("The instance " + " method in Animal."); }}
Cat.java
public class Cat extends Animal { public static void testClassMethod() { System.out.println("The class method" + " in Cat."); } public void testInstanceMethod() { System.out.println("The instance method" + " in Cat."); } public static void main(String[] args) { Cat myCat = new Cat(); Animal myAnimal = myCat; Animal.testClassMethod(); myAnimal.testInstanceMethod(); System.out.println("\n another style\n"); Cat.testClassMethod(); myAnimal.testClassMethod(); myCat.testClassMethod(); myCat.testInstanceMethod(); }}
output
The class method in Animal.The instance method in Cat. another style The class method in Cat.The class method in Animal.The class method in Cat.The instance method in Cat.