The difference between final, finally, and finalize in Java

Final

• When applied to a primitive variable, the value of the variable cannot be changed.
• When applied to a reference variable, the reference variable cannot point to any other object on the heap.

class Foo { 
    public static void main(String[] args) 
    { 
        // Non final variable 
        int a = 5; 

        // Final variable 
        final int b = 6; 

        // Allowed to modify to the non final variable
        a++; 

        // Compile time error
        // We cannot modify the final variable
        b++; 
    } 
} 

When applied to a method, the method cannot be overridden.

class Foo { 
    final void calculate() {
        // ...
    }
} 

class Bar extends Foo { 
    // Compile time error
    // We cannot extend calculate(), because it is final
    void calculate() {
        // ...
    } 
} 

When applied to a class, the class cannot be subclassed.

final class Foo { 
    // ...
} 

// Compile time error
// We cannot extend Foo, because it is final
class Bar extends Foo { 
    // ...
} 

Finally

After the try block or after the catch block, there is an optional finally block. If the JVM does not exit from the try block, the statements in the finally block will always be executed.

Usually, the finally block is used to write the clean up code.

Finalize

This is the method that the JVM runs before running the garbage collector.