Abstarct class & Interfaces

[Krazee soul]

What are the differences between a pure abstract class & interface apart from the fact that interfaces allow multiple inheritance?

[Mike Gershman]

"pure abstract class" is not a Java term, but I guess it means a class that does nothing an interface can't do. (No concrete methodes or nonfinal fields). Is that what you mean?

[Krazee soul]

Yes that is what I mean

[David Harkness]

I believe that's the only difference, unless you count the fact that the abstract class and its methods would have to be declared abstract while the interface's methods are implicitly abstract.

Given that, why not use an interface?

[Ilja Preuss]

Originally posted by Krazee soul:
What are the differences between a pure abstract class & interface apart from the fact that interfaces allow multiple inheritance?

None. It's the only reason for the existence of interfaces in Java: to allow at least some form of multiple inheritance.