Initializing a protected field in a subclass doesn't work

Question

Why doesn't this work? And if it shouldn't, how do I get around it?
public abstract class Ship
     protected double rotationSpeed;
     protected aMethod()
          System.out.println(rotationSpeed);
public abstract class Cruiser
     protected double rotationSpeed = 3;
}I thought that when the method 'aMethod' it would print out '3' but it doesn't. I'm not sure why, I also tried this:
public abstract class Cruiser
     public Cruiser()
          rotationSpeed = 3;
But it didn't change it. How do I alter protected fields like this?

Answer 1

happypigface wrote:
Awesome, thanks, using super worked.You're welcome.
Note that you don't need to use the 'super' keyword:
class Cruiser extends Ship {
    public Cruiser() {
        rotationSpeed = 3; // this works too
}but I find it clearer to use it.
I didn't think it really mattered if I posted the code running it. I didn't really have one. The names of those fields and classes aren't real.
...IMO, it's best to post an SSCCE of the problem/question.