Java — Which overriding declarations are valid in a subclass of class A? class A { protected int method1(int a, int b) { return 0; } }

Introduction / Context:
This evaluates the rules of overriding regarding access modifiers, return types, and static usage in Java.

Concept / Approach:

• Overridden methods can increase visibility (protected → public is valid).
• Return type must be the same or covariant; short is not covariant with int.
• Overridden methods cannot be static if the original was not static.
• Access cannot be reduced (protected → private is invalid).

Step-by-Step:

Final Answer:
public int method1(int a, int b) { return 0; }