Calling exactly super() is always redundant. It's explicitly doing what would be implicitly done otherwise. That's because if you omit a call to the super constructor, the no-argument super constructor will be invoked automatically anyway. Not to say that it's bad style; some people like being explicit.
However, where it becomes useful is when the super constructor takes arguments that you want to pass in from the subclass.
public class Animal {
private final String noise;
protected Animal(String noise) {
this.noise = noise;
}
public void makeNoise() {
System.out.println(noise);
}
}
public class Pig extends Animal {
public Pig() {
super("Oink");
}
}
W3Schools
w3schools.com › java › ref_keyword_super.asp
Java super Keyword
To understand the super keyword, you should have a basic understanding of Inheritance and Polymorphism. Read more about inheritance (subclasses and superclasses) in our Java Inheritance Tutorial.
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › java › super-keyword
Super Keyword in Java - GeeksforGeeks
The super keyword in Java is a reference variable that is used to refer to the parent class when we are working with objects.
Published July 23, 2025
java - When do I use super()? - Stack Overflow
@h8pathak: If you're asking how a child class can bypass its parent's implementation but call the grandparent, that's not possible in Java. 2015-08-10T14:17:02.57Z+00:00 ... You may also use the super keyword in the sub class when you want to invoke a method from the parent class when you have ... More on stackoverflow.com
Can someone please explain the 'super' keyword in Java like I'm eight years old?
Lets say I have a Human class. Since we know that classes are like plans to build something I can say that this class was used to build the Mom object and the Dad object. Now I've created a new class: Kid. This class extends the Human class, and well, that's how kids are made. Now lets say that the human class has a Sing() method that causes the Mom or Dad object to Sing "Don't worry be happy." The Kid class overrides that Sing() method, causing Kids to sing "the wheels on the bus go round and round." But one day, one of the kids (constructed with the kids class) wants to sing like Mom. That's where the super keyword comes in. We can make a new method in the Kid class called SingLikeAHuman(). In this method we can call super.Sing() The thing to note here is that the Kid class has a Sing() method already. Because of that I can't access the Human classes Sing method. The super keyword provides us with a way to access methods that are otherwise hidden by being overridden. More on reddit.com
4
5
September 24, 2013What are the uses of super keyword in java? Explain their uses with suitable examples separately.
On Studocu you find all the lecture notes, summaries and study guides you need to pass your exams with better grades. More on studocu.com
1
ELI5 - What is super keyword in java
Let's say I have a class X that extends class Y. Class Y is called the superclass of class X. The super keyword refers to the superclass of the class you are working in now. So suppose, for instance, that X has a method f(), and Y has a method g(). Inside f, I might call super.g(), which calls the g() method inside the superclass Y. This is primarily useful if g() is overriden in X, but I want to call the implementation in Y anyway. In this case this.g() would call X.g(), whereas super.g() would call Y.g() More on reddit.com
4
0
October 2, 2024Videos
11:33
Super Keyword in Java Full Tutorial - How to Use "super" - YouTube
10:30
Learn the Java super keyword in 10 minutes! 🔝 - YouTube
Java Tutorial For Beginners - Super Keyword in Java
12:11
#51 This and Super Method in Java - YouTube
06:47
#6.2 Java Tutorial | Super Method
DataCamp
datacamp.com › doc › java › super
super Keyword in Java: Usage & Examples
Learn how to use the `super` keyword in Java to call superclass constructors, access overridden methods, and hidden fields. Enhance your Java programming skills with practical examples and best practices.
Top answer 1 of 11
151
Calling exactly super() is always redundant. It's explicitly doing what would be implicitly done otherwise. That's because if you omit a call to the super constructor, the no-argument super constructor will be invoked automatically anyway. Not to say that it's bad style; some people like being explicit.
However, where it becomes useful is when the super constructor takes arguments that you want to pass in from the subclass.
public class Animal {
private final String noise;
protected Animal(String noise) {
this.noise = noise;
}
public void makeNoise() {
System.out.println(noise);
}
}
public class Pig extends Animal {
public Pig() {
super("Oink");
}
}
2 of 11
45
super is used to call the constructor, methods and properties of parent class.
Oracle
docs.oracle.com › javase › tutorial › java › IandI › super.html
Using the Keyword super (The Java™ Tutorials > Learning the Java Language > Interfaces and Inheritance)
See Java Language Changes for a summary of updated language features in Java SE 9 and subsequent releases. See JDK Release Notes for information about new features, enhancements, and removed or deprecated options for all JDK releases. If your method overrides one of its superclass's methods, you can invoke the overridden method through the use of the keyword super.
Programiz
programiz.com › java-programming › super-keyword
Java super Keyword (With Examples)
To explicitly call the superclass constructor from the subclass constructor, we use super(). It's a special form of the super keyword. super() can be used only inside the subclass constructor and must be the first statement.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnprogramming › can someone please explain the 'super' keyword in java like i'm eight years old?
r/learnprogramming on Reddit: Can someone please explain the 'super' keyword in Java like I'm eight years old?
September 24, 2013 -
I'm currently taking a Java course at my school and I couldn't really find any simple answers online. If anyone could help I would really appreciate it.
Top answer 1 of 3
11
Lets say I have a Human class. Since we know that classes are like plans to build something I can say that this class was used to build the Mom object and the Dad object. Now I've created a new class: Kid. This class extends the Human class, and well, that's how kids are made. Now lets say that the human class has a Sing() method that causes the Mom or Dad object to Sing "Don't worry be happy." The Kid class overrides that Sing() method, causing Kids to sing "the wheels on the bus go round and round." But one day, one of the kids (constructed with the kids class) wants to sing like Mom. That's where the super keyword comes in. We can make a new method in the Kid class called SingLikeAHuman(). In this method we can call super.Sing() The thing to note here is that the Kid class has a Sing() method already. Because of that I can't access the Human classes Sing method. The super keyword provides us with a way to access methods that are otherwise hidden by being overridden.
2 of 3
3
The super keyword symbolizes this class's parent (i.e. this extends parent). So super.foo() calls method foo in this class's parent. Likewise super() is a call to the parent's constructor.
Udemy
blog.udemy.com › home › understanding keyword super: java tutorial
Understanding Keyword Super: Java Tutorial - Udemy Blog
December 4, 2019 - Basically, the super keyword serves as reference to the parent class object in the child class. Therefore, when the keyword super is used inside the child Square, the super keyword would serve as the reference to Shape class instance. To learn more about Java, check out Udemy.com courses
Quora
quora.com › What-exactly-is-the-function-of-the-super-keyword-in-Java
What exactly is the function of the 'super' keyword in Java? - Quora
Answer (1 of 10): The super keyword in java is a reference variable that is used to refer immediate parent class object. Whenever you create the instance of subclass, an instance of parent class is created implicitly i.e. referred by super reference ...
Studocu
studocu.com › tribhuvan vishwavidalaya › java programming › question
[Solved] What are the uses of super keyword in java Explain their uses - Java Programming (CSc 409) - Studocu
May 15, 2024 - The super keyword in Java is used to refer to the immediate parent class object. It can be used in several ways to access or call the parent class members.
Medium
naveen-metta.medium.com › mastering-the-super-keyword-in-java-a-comprehensive-guide-5d474a7cec3e
Mastering the ‘super’ Keyword in Java: A Comprehensive Guide | by Naveen Metta | Medium
March 6, 2024 - The ‘super’ keyword, denoted by the ‘@’ symbol in Java, acts as a reference variable, establishing a crucial link between a child class and its immediate parent class. This reference variable is employed to refer to the parent class ...
Baeldung
baeldung.com › home › java › core java › guide to the super java keyword
Guide to the super Java Keyword | Baeldung
January 8, 2024 - Let’s create a child class instance and see what’s happening behind: SuperSub child = new SuperSub("message from the child class"); The new keyword invokes the constructor of the SuperSub, which itself calls the parent constructor first and passes the String argument to it.
Simplilearn
simplilearn.com › home › resources › software development › super keyword in java: an ultimate guide
Super Keyword in Java: An Ultimate Guide
July 31, 2025 - Master Java inheritance with 'super' keyword! Unleash its power to refine object-oriented code & build robust applications. Read to know more!
Address 5851 Legacy Circle, 6th Floor, Plano, TX 75024 United States
Scaler
scaler.com › topics › java › super-keyword-in-java
Super Keyword in Java - Scaler Topics
March 14, 2024 - The super keyword in Java is used as a reference variable to access objects from parent classes. It allows access to parent class constructors, members, and methods in the derived class. The keyword plays a crucial role in inheritance and polymorphism concepts.
CodeGym
codegym.cc › java blog › inheritance in java › java super keyword
Java super Keyword
February 19, 2025 - The super keyword is quite literally “off-limits” for use as a variable or method name because it’s a reserved keyword in Java. At its core, super helps us navigate the inheritance chain and access the direct superclass of the current class.
Igmguru
igmguru.com › blog › super-keyword-in-java
Super Keyword in Java: With Examples (Updated 2025)
1 month ago - I have created this blog to walk ... In Java, the super keyword is a reference variable used within a subclass to access members (methods, fields, and constructors) of its immediate parent class....
CodeSignal
codesignal.com › learn › courses › java-classes-basics-revision › lessons › java-inheritance-and-the-super-keyword
Java Inheritance and the super Keyword
The super keyword is essential in inheritance for calling superclass methods from a subclass, especially useful in method overriding. It enables a subclass to extend or utilize the functionality of a superclass without directly modifying it. Method overriding in Java allows a subclass to provide a specific implementation of a method already defined in its superclass.
Naukri
naukri.com › code360 › library › super-keyword-in-java
Super Keyword in Java - Naukri Code 360
May 28, 2025 - Almost there... just a few more seconds
Tutorialspoint
tutorialspoint.com › java › super_keyword_in_java.htm
Java - super keyword
Java Vs. C++ ... The super keyword is similar to this keyword. Following are the scenarios where the super keyword is used. It is used to differentiate the members of superclass from the members of subclass, if they have same names. It is used to invoke the superclass constructor from subclass.
Hero Vired
herovired.com › home › learning-hub › topics › super-keyword-in-java
Super Keyword in Java - Uses and Examples
August 20, 2024 - The super keyword in object-oriented programming languages, such as Java, refers to the immediate parent class of the current class instance. It serves multiple purposes. It allows access to overridden methods in the parent class.