Is Final really Final?

Java has a keyword final and C++ has a keyword const. They are similar, but don't fall into the trap of thinking they are identical. Declaring a variable final will prevent the value of that variable from being changed after initialization. However, if that variable is a reference to an object, it will not necessarily prevent the various fields in that object from being changed. e.g. This also applies to parameters declared final.

final Table finalTable = new Table(7 );
Table otherTable = new Table(7 );
tb = otherTable; // generates a compiler error
finalTable.setSize( 10 ); //ok
finalTable.color = 6;     //ok

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