PHP OOP - Final Classes and Methods

Php-mysql Course

Final classes

Inheritance allows for enormous flexibility within a class hierarchy. You can create subclasses to extend the functionality of a base class, but PHP OOP gives the posibility to create classes that cannot be extended. Such a class is called final class.
A final class is declared by adding the final keyword before the class word.
  - For example:

<?php
// base class (declared final)
final class Base {
  // ... PHP code
}

// define a child class derivated from Base
class BaseChild extends Base {
  // ... PHP instructions
}
?>

Running this code will generate the following error:

Final methods

A normal method (public or protected) can be overridden in the child class. If you want a method to remain fixed and unchanging, prefix the definition with the final keyword.
A final method cannot be overridden.
  - For example:

<?php
// base class
class Base {
  // final method
  final public function testMethod() {
    echo 'This is a final method';
  }
}

// define a child class derivated from Base
class BaseChild extends Base {
  // override the testMethod()
  public function testMethod() {
    echo 'Another text';
  }
}
?>

This example will generate the following error:

By declaring a class or method final, you limit the flexibility given by inheritance, so, use final with care.