The four pillars of Java programming refer to the fundamental principles of object-oriented

programming in Java. These pillars are:

1. Encapsulation: Encapsulation is the principle of bundling data (variables) and methods

(functions) together into objects. It enables data hiding, which means that the internal details of
an object are hidden from external access. Access to the object's data and behavior is provided
through well-defined interfaces, known as public methods. Encapsulation helps achieve data
integrity, modularity, and reusability.

2. Inheritance: Inheritance is a mechanism that allows classes to inherit properties and behavior
from other classes. In Java, you can create a new class (subclass) based on an existing class
(superclass) and extend or modify its attributes and methods. The subclass inherits all the non-
private members of the superclass, including variables, methods, and nested classes. Inheritance
promotes code reuse, hierarchical organization, and polymorphism.

3. Polymorphism: Polymorphism refers to the ability of objects to take on multiple forms or

have multiple behaviors. In Java, polymorphism is achieved through method overriding and
method overloading. Method overriding allows a subclass to provide a different
implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. Method overloading
enables multiple methods with the same name but different parameter lists to be defined in the
same class or subclass. Polymorphism allows for code flexibility, extensibility, and dynamic
behavior.

4. Abstraction: Abstraction involves simplifying complex systems by focusing on essential

characteristics and ignoring unnecessary details. In Java, abstraction is achieved through
abstract classes and interfaces. An abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated but can
have abstract methods (methods without implementations) that must be implemented by its
subclasses. An interface is a collection of abstract methods that defines a contract for classes
implementing it. Abstraction allows for modular design, code reusability, and separation of
concerns.

These four pillars of Java programming provide the foundation for writing maintainable,
extensible, and object-oriented code. They promote good software engineering practices, such as
encapsulation, code reuse, and modularity, and help developers create robust and flexible
applications.