Does Variable Access Use Dynamic Binding in Java?

No, variable access does not use dynamic binding in Java. Instead, variables are resolved at compile-time using static binding. However, methods use dynamic binding (runtime polymorphism).

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Static vs. Dynamic Binding

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Example: Method vs. Variable Access

class Animal {
    String sound = "generic animal sound";

    void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Some animal sound");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    String sound = "bark";

    @Override
    void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Bark");
    }
}

public class DynamicBindingExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Animal myAnimal = new Dog();

        // Dynamic binding for the method
        myAnimal.makeSound(); // Outputs: Bark

        // Variable binding is static, not dynamic
        System.out.println(myAnimal.sound); // Outputs: generic animal sound
    }
}

Conclusion

• Variables are statically bound → Resolved at compile-time based on reference type.

• Methods use dynamic binding → Resolved at runtime based on actual object.

This is why overriding applies only to methods, not variables in Java.