What is an abstract class?

Or
Can you make an instance of an abstract class?

Abstract classes can contain abstract and concrete methods. Abstract classes cannot be instantiated directly i.e. we cannot call the constructor of an abstract class directly nor we can create an instance of an abstract class by using “Class.forName().newInstance()” (Here we get java.lang.InstantiationException). However, if we create an instance of a class that extends an Abstract class, compiler will initialize both the classes. Here compiler will implicitly call the constructor of the Abstract class. Any class that contain an abstract method must be declared “abstract” and abstract methods can have definitions only in child classes. By overriding and customizing the abstract methods in more than one subclass makes “Polymorphism” and through Inheritance we define body to the abstract methods. Basically an abstract class serves as a template. Abstract class must be extended/subclassed for it to be implemented. A class may be declared abstract even if it has no abstract methods. This prevents it from being instantiated. Abstract class is a class that provides some general functionality but leaves specific implementation to its inheriting classes.

Example of Abstract class:

abstract class AbstractClassExample{

protected String name;
public String getname() {
return name;
}
public abstract void function();
}

Example: Vehicle is an abstract class and Bus Truck, car etc are specific implementations

No! You cannot make an instance of an abstract class. An abstract class has to be sub-classed.
If you have an abstract class and you want to use a method which has been implemented, you may
need to subclass that abstract class, instantiate your subclass and then call that method.