Avoid casting in inherited java-classes

Question

I have a class:

class MyClass {

  public MyClass getParent() { ... }

  public MyClass[] getChildren() { ... }

  ....

}

and a subclass

Answer 1

Add the method getId to the super class as well ie. MyClass.

Any subclasses can still override and have their own implementation. If you are scared of subclasses not overriding getId,then throw an exception from the super class from getId.

Th erotically, getID is some thing that is applicable for All Class and hence can be added to super.