Object Class:

In Java, the Object class is a special class that serves as the root of the class hierarchy. Every class in Java is either directly or indirectly derived from the Object class. This means that the Object class is the superclass of all other classes in Java.






Here are some key points about the Object class in Java:


Methods: The Object class provides several important methods that are inherited by all other classes. These methods include:


toString(): Returns a string representation of the object.

equals(Object obj): Compares the object with another object for equality.

hashCode(): Returns a hash code value for the object.

getClass(): Returns the runtime class of the object.

finalize(): Called by the garbage collector before an object is reclaimed.

clone(): Creates and returns a copy of the object.

Default Implementation: The Object class provides default implementations for the methods mentioned above. However, these implementations might not always be suitable for specific classes, so they can be overridden in derived classes to provide custom behavior.


Inheritance: Since all classes implicitly or explicitly inherit from the Object class, they inherit its methods and properties. This allows for a common interface and behavior across all objects in Java.


Usage: The Object class is often used when working with collections that can store objects of different types, as it provides a universal type through which objects can be referenced.


Here's an example demonstrating the usage of the Object class and its methods:

java
public class MyClass { 
private String name; 
private int age; 
public MyClass(String name, int age) {
this.name = name;
        this.age = age; 
 }
@Override
    public String toString() {
return "MyClass [name=" + name + ", age=" + age + "]"; 
 } 
@Override
    public boolean equals(Object obj) {
if (this == obj) 
return true; 
if (obj == null || getClass() != obj.getClass()) 
return false; 
MyClass other = (MyClass) obj; 
return age == other.age && name.equals(other.name); 
 } 
@Override
    public int hashCode() {
return Objects.hash(name, age); 
 } 
public static void main(String[] args) {
MyClass obj1 = new MyClass("John", 25);
MyClass obj2 = new MyClass("John", 25); 
 System.out.println(obj1.equals(obj2));  // true

        System.out.println(obj1.toString());    // MyClass [name=John, age=25]
    }
}

In the above example, the MyClass overrides the toString(), equals(), and hashCode() methods inherited from the Object class to provide custom implementations based on its fields.

Overall, the Object class is a fundamental part of Java and provides essential methods and functionality that are inherited by all other classes, making it a crucial component of object-oriented programming in Java