Java Utility Classes and Extension through Inheritance

Question

I have a utility class with some static methods which I use in some places around my code. I am facing a problem now. I want to replace the functions in this utility class in order to provide better implementation. Obviously this cannot be achieved directly without some serious hacking.

My question is: what is the best way to solve this problem. How can someone still use utility classes in such a way that they can still be extended upon. I am thinking around the idea of wrapping the particular utility function for each class that makes use of them so that even if the actual utility method cannot be replaced at least it is possible to replace the class method that calls it. Still, I am curious to know about what are the best practices.

Answer 1

Why can't you just change the implementation of the static methods in the utility class.

As long as you don't change the method signatures, the users wont get affected.