The diamond problem with default methods

When defaults collide

If a class implements two interfaces that both provide a default method with the same signature, the class must override that method — otherwise the compiler reports an ambiguity error:

public interface A {
    default String greet() { return "Hello from A"; }
}

public interface B {
    default String greet() { return "Hello from B"; }
}

public class C implements A, B {
    // must override — the compiler cannot choose A or B
    @Override
    public String greet() {
        return A.super.greet();  // explicitly delegate to A's version
    }
}

Calling a specific parent default: use Interface.super.method() — the only place this syntax is valid.

Class always wins

If a class (not an interface) provides a concrete method with the same signature, that class method always wins over any interface default:

public class Base {
    public String greet() { return "Hello from Base"; }
}

public class D extends Base implements A {
    // Base.greet() wins — no override required, no ambiguity
}

Resolution priority: class/superclass concrete method > interface default method > ambiguity error (when two defaults tie without a class winner).