Java developers often get confused between final, finally, and finalize. These three terms might sound similar, but they serve completely different purposes. If you’ve ever struggled to understand their differences, this guide is for you!

By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of final vs finally vs finalize in Java and how to use each one correctly. Let’s dive in!

1. What is final in Java?

The final keyword in Java is used for constants, method restrictions, and inheritance control. It can be applied to variables, methods, and classes.

a) final with Variables (Constant Values)

When a variable is declared final, its value cannot be changed once assigned.

public class FinalVariableExample {
    final int MAX_VALUE = 100; // Constant value
    
    void display() {
        // MAX_VALUE = 200; // This will cause a compilation error
        System.out.println("Max Value: " + MAX_VALUE);
    }
}

The MAX_VALUE variable is declared as final, so its value cannot be modified.

b) final with Methods (Prevent Overriding)

A final method cannot be overridden by subclasses.

class Parent {
    final void show() {
        System.out.println("This is a final method.");
    }
}

class Child extends Parent {
    // void show() { // This will cause a compilation error
    //     System.out.println("Cannot override a final method");
    // }
}

The show() method in the Parent class is marked final, preventing the Child class from overriding it.

c) final with Classes (Prevent Inheritance)

A class declared as final cannot be extended.

final class FinalClass {
    void display() {
        System.out.println("This is a final class.");
    }
}

// class SubClass extends FinalClass { // This will cause a compilation error
// }

The FinalClass cannot be extended by any subclass.

2. What is finally in Java?

The finally block in Java is used to ensure that important code executes, regardless of exceptions. It is primarily used with try-catch blocks to handle exceptions.

public class FinallyExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        try {
            int result = 10 / 0; // This will cause an exception
        } catch (ArithmeticException e) {
            System.out.println("Exception caught: " + e.getMessage());
        } finally {
            System.out.println("Finally block executed!");
        }
    }
}

Output:

Exception caught: / by zero
Finally block executed!

The finally block runs no matter what happens in the try-catch block. This is useful for closing resources like database connections or file streams.

3. What is finalize() in Java?

The finalize() method is used for garbage collection. It is called by the Garbage Collector before an object is destroyed to perform cleanup operations.

class FinalizeExample {
    protected void finalize() {
        System.out.println("Finalize method called before garbage collection.");
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        FinalizeExample obj = new FinalizeExample();
        obj = null; // Making object eligible for garbage collection
        System.gc(); // Requesting garbage collection
        System.out.println("End of main method.");
    }
}

Output (may vary depending on JVM execution):

End of main method.
Finalize method called before garbage collection.

• The finalize() method is called before an object is garbage collected but not guaranteed to execute immediately or at all.
• Calling System.gc() only suggests garbage collection to the JVM, but it does not force it.
• Due to unpredictability and performance issues, finalize() has been deprecated in Java 9 and removed (marked as remove) in Java 18.

Alternatives to finalize():

• Try-with-resources (AutoCloseable) – For handling resources like files, sockets, and streams.
• java.lang.ref.Cleaner (Java 9+) – A more reliable way to register cleanup actions when objects become unreachable.

Important Note:

The use of finalize() is strongly discouraged in modern Java programming. Developers should use explicit resource management instead of relying on garbage collection for cleanup.

Final vs Finally vs Finalize in Java: Key Differences

When to Use Final, Finally, and Finalize?

• Use final when you want to create constants, prevent method overriding, or restrict class inheritance.
• Use finally when you need to execute important code regardless of exceptions, like closing resources.
• Use finalize() only if you need to clean up resources before garbage collection, though it is now discouraged.

Conclusion

Understanding final vs finally vs finalize in Java is crucial for writing efficient and error-free Java programs. While final is used for constants, method restrictions, and inheritance prevention, finally ensures essential code execution, and finalize() helps with garbage collection (though deprecated in Java 9+).