java - where does downcasted object point to? -

public class animal{      int n = 5;      public static void main(string[] args) {          animal = new animal();         animal ah = new horse();         horse h = new horse();           system.out.println(h.n); // prints 7         system.out.println(ah.n); // prints 5         h = (horse) ah;         system.out.println(h.n); // prints 7      } }  class horse extends animal{      int n = 7;  } 

my question:

why h.n still print 7 after h = (horse) ah? after assignment should point same object ah points , n field points 5?

first, let's call field n of class animal "animal.n" avoid confusion.

fields, unlike methods, not subject overriding. in horse class, may think overriding value of animal.n 7, declaring new variable called n (let's call horse.n avoid confusion).

so really, have class called horse 2 fields: animal.n , horse.n. field when "n" depends upon static type of variable @ time.

when have object type horse, upcast animal, n field refers animal.n, , has value of "5". hence ah.n "5".

when have same object, downcast again horse, n field refers horse.n, , has value of "7". hence h.n "7".

to clarify: indeed, h point same object ah points -- downcasting not change object being pointed at. however, static type affect field of object being requested.