Keep visibility of abstract method in subclass

Question

I have following abstract class:

public abstract class AbstractCreateActionHandler {

    protected IWorkItem mCurrentWI;

    public AbstractCreateActionHandler(IWorkItem wi) {
      this.mCurrentWI = wi; 
    }

    public final void invoke() {
      try {
          if (checkForLockingFile()) {
            this.executeAction();
            Configuration.deleteInstance();
          }
      } catch (IOException e) {
          Configuration.deleteInstance();
          e.printStackTrace();
      }
    }

    protected abstract void executeAction();    

    private boolean checkForLockingFile() throws IOException {
      String path = Configuration.getInstance().getProperty("path");
      File lock = new File(path + "lock_"+mCurrentWI.getId()+"__.tmp");
      if(!lock.exists()) {
          lock.createNewFile();
          return true;
      }
      return false; 
    }
}

A sub class extends the abstract class:

public class MyAction extends AbstractCreateActionHandler {

    public MyAction(IWorkItem wi) {
      super(wi);
    }

    @Override
    protected void executeAction() {
      // Implementation
    }

    // ALSO POSSIBLE...
    /* @Override
    public void executeAction() {
      // Implementation
    }*/
}

Question:

Is it possible that a developer which extends the abstract class and implements executeAction() method is not allowed the change the visibilty of executeAction()?

At the moment a developer can simply change the visibilty of the method to "public", create an object of the subclass and invoke executeExtion(). The visibility modifier can be changed and the abstract method is still accepted as "implemented".

So the "normal" calling sequence and checks which are executed in abstract class method invoke() can be bypassed. Is there a way to check if the invoke() method was called?

Answer 1

No, there's not really a way to restrict that. are you worried about malicious developers or clueless coworkers? if the latter then you just need to establish coding conventions like "don't increase the visibility of methods" and put some javadoc on the abstract method indicating proper usage. if the former, then you probably need to design your code differently (possibly using the strategy pattern).