this refers to the current object. super refers to the parent class part of the current object.

this

Use this to access current object members.

class Student {
    String name;

    Student(String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }
}

Without this.name, the parameter can shadow the field.

Uses of this

• Access current object's variables.
• Call another method of the same object.
• Call another constructor using this().

Student() {
    this("Unknown");
}

super

Use super to access parent members or call the parent constructor.

class WebhookEvent extends DomainEvent {
    WebhookEvent() {
        super();
    }

    void publish() {
        super.publish();
        System.out.println("Webhook delivered");
    }
}

this vs super

Interview Notes

• this() and super() must be first statement in a constructor.
• They cannot both be called in the same constructor.
• Static methods cannot use this or super.
• Java inserts super() automatically if no parent constructor call is written and the parent has a no-arg constructor.