The term “super” appears in various programming contexts, each with its specific meaning. This article clarifies its usage in Java generics and object-oriented programming, addressing common points of confusion.

‘super’ in Java Generics

In Java generics, the keyword ‘super’ is used to define lower bounds for type parameters. This is especially useful when working with collections and inheritance. When you use List<T super Suit>,you’re indicating that the list can hold objects of type Suit or any of its superclasses [[1]].

“When you put an Object to the List,all you care about is that the object is of a type that is compatible with type held by the list.”

This is essential when you intend to wriet into the list. The primary concern is that any object added to the list must be compatible with the type held by the list, meaning it should be of that type or a subclass of it [[1]].

‘super’ in Object-Oriented Programming (Java)

In object-oriented programming, specifically in Java, super() is a special keyword used to call the constructor of the parent class.More generally, the super keyword allows you to access overridden methods, hidden fields, or invoke a superclass’s constructor [[3]]. This is crucial for maintaining and extending the functionality of inherited classes.