Can anyone clarify an interface for me?

[OMGCarlos]

I'm working on a massive RealBasic project, and although I don't exactly need it at the moment, I would like to understand what interfaces are. A google search gave me this example (Java):

interface Bicycle {

       void changeCadence(int newValue);   // wheel revolutions per minute

       void changeGear(int newValue);

       void speedUp(int increment);

       void applyBrakes(int decrement);
}

which is a little easier to understand than what's in the RealBasic docs, but still. Why would you use an interface? I don't understand the point. Is it to somehow inherit the properties???

[Darwin226]

Made a blog once, made only 2 posts in it, one of them is an interface tutorial :D
[url]http://darwindevelopment.weebly.com/1/post/2010/04/interfaces.html[/url]

I think it's pretty good.

[OMGCarlos]

Wow awesome tutorial, using animals was genius!

[esalaka]

[QUOTE=OMGCarlos;27952652]Wow awesome tutorial, using animals was genius![/QUOTE]

Actually animals are probably the most used example ever.

Every single book I've seen has had animals as an example of inheritance.

[editline]9th February 2011[/editline]

Actually they were used even for multiple inheritance, I think.

[Darwin226]

[QUOTE=esalaka;27954127]Actually animals are probably the most used example ever.

Every single book I've seen has had animals as an example of inheritance.

[editline]9th February 2011[/editline]

Actually they were used even for multiple inheritance, I think.[/QUOTE]

Because it makes sense.
I don't think there's anything more familiar in nature that can be used to explain inheritance.