Casting with a Object reference

Question

Object tObject;
tObject = new Date(2000,12,25); //tObject is pointing to a new Date object
Date tDate = (Date)tObject; // tObject is being cast to a date object, so does it mean that tObject and tDate are pointing at the same Date object
int tYear = tDate.getYear();
any help would be great

Answer 1

Exactly. This won't work:Object anObject = new Object();
(JPanel) anObject.setLayout(new BorderLayout()); // Wrong!!!!!because casting doesn't create inheritance; it simply informs the compiler of an inheritance (through definition) that should already be there. If it isn't, the compiler won't know about it, but you will get an exception when you try to run it.
This, however, will work:Object anObject = new JPanel();
(JPanel) anObject.setLayout(new BorderLayout()); // Right!!!!!because the inheritance you are specifying is really there.
When you cast, you are in effect telling the compiler something like "this animal is an elephant". The compiler will say "OK, I believe you", but if what you have is really a tiger, prepare to be mauled instead of being given a ride.