Here is a list of key differences between final, finally and finalize:

final

• final is keyword
• final is use with class, method, and variables
• A final class can not be instantiated.
• A final method can not be overridden.
• A final variable can not be re-assigned.

final Example

A final variable can not be re-assigned.

A final class can not be subclassed.

A final method can not be overridden.

finally

• finally is keyword
• finally block is used in exception handling that follows try block.
• finally block of code always executes, whether an exception occurred or not. It’s used to run clean-type resources.
• After java 7+ by using try-resources with files make finally as optional.

finally Example

In this example, you will see finally block executes, whether an exception occurred or not.

public class TesFinally {
   public static void main(String[] args) {

      try{
         int a = 20;
         int b = 0;
         int result = a/b;
      }catch(Exception e){
         System.out.println("Exception occured: "+ e.getMessage());
      }
      finally{
         System.out.println("Finally Exceuted.");
      }
   }
}

Output

Exception occured: / by zero
Finally Executed.

finalize

• finalize is an object class method
• finalize() method is called just before the object is destroyed or garbage collected.
• finalize() method is used to clean up object resources before destroy.
• If finalize() method call Explicitly, then it will be executed just like a normal method but the object won’t be deleted/destroyed.

See Also: Java: Garbage Collection Finalize() Method Example And Uses

finalize Example

In this example first calling finalize() method manually by test object which will behave as a normal method. For checking how Garbage collector call finalize() method setting test as null make object as unreferenced to make eligible for garbage collection. Here calling System.gc() to request JVM to call the garbage collector method. Now it’s up to JVM to call Garbage Collector or not. Usually, JVM calls Garbage Collector when there is not enough space available in the Heap area or when the memory is low.

public class FinalizeMethodTest {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        FinalizeMethodTest test=new FinalizeMethodTest();
        //manually calling finalize method is call like normal method
        test.finalize();

        //unreferenced object to make eligible for garbage collector
        test=null;

        //Requesting JVM to call Garbage Collector method
        System.gc();

        System.out.println("Main Method Completed !!");
    }
    @Override
     public void finalize()
        {
            System.out.println("finalize method overriden");
        }
}

Output

finalize method overriden
Main Method Completed !!
finalize method overriden

Here finalize() method calls two times one for manually another by garbage collector for cleaning up this test object.