10 Mar Python Inheritance
In Python, inheritance allows a child class to reuse and extend the functionality of a parent class, making code more modular and reducing duplication. You can define a base class with attributes and methods, then create derived classes that inherit and add their own behavior.
Key Concepts of Inheritance
Let us first see the key concepts:
- Parent/Base Class: The class whose properties and methods are inherited.
- Child/Derived Class: The class that inherits from the parent.
- Syntax:
class Parent:
# attributes and methods
class Child(Parent):
# additional attributes and methods
or
# defining a superclass
class superclass:
# attributes and methods definition
# inheritance
# defining a sub class
class subclass(super_class):
# attributes and methods of superclass
# attributes and methods of subclass
Above, we are inheriting the subclass from superclass.
Why Use Inheritance
- Code Reusability: Avoid rewriting common methods.
- Extensibility: Add new features in child classes.
- Organization: Clear hierarchy of classes.
Types of Inheritance in Python
The following are the types of Inheritance in Python:
Single Inheritance
A child class inherits from one parent class.
class Animal:
def __init__(self, name):
self.name = name
def info(self):
print("Animal name:", self.name)
class Dog(Animal): # Dog inherits from Animal
def sound(self):
print(self.name, "barks")
d = Dog("Bradman")
d.info() # Inherited method
d.sound() # Child-specific method
Output
Animal name: Bradman Brandman barks
Here, Dog inherits the info() method from Animal and adds its own sound() method.
Here’s the representation for your Single Inheritance example featuring Animal and Dog classes with Buddy as the instance:
Multiple Inheritance
A child class inherits from more than one parent class.
class Father:
def skills(self):
print("Gardening, Programming")
class Mother:
def skills(self):
print("Cooking, Art")
class Child(Father, Mother):
def skills(self):
Father.skills(self)
Mother.skills(self)
print("Dancing, Sports")
c = Child()
c.skills()
Output
Gardening, Programming Cooking, Art Dancing, Sports
The Child class inherits from both Father and Mother.
Here is the representation for Multiple Inheritance using the Father, Mother, and Child classes:
Multilevel Inheritance
Inheritance occurs across multiple levels (grandparent → parent → child).
class Grandparent:
def heritage(self):
print("Family traditions")
class Parent(Grandparent):
def responsibility(self):
print("Providing guidance")
class Child(Parent):
def play(self):
print("Playing games")
c = Child()
c.heritage()
c.responsibility()
c.play()
Output
Family traditions Providing guidance Playing games
The Child inherits from Parent, which itself inherits from Grandparent.
Here is the representation for Multilevel Inheritance showcasing the Grandparent, Parent, and Child classes:
Hierarchical Inheritance
Multiple child classes inherit from the same parent class.
class Animal:
def sound(self):
print("Some generic sound")
class Dog(Animal):
def sound(self):
print("Bark")
class Cat(Animal):
def sound(self):
print("Meow")
class Cow(Animal):
def sound(self):
print("Moo")
# Testing
d = Dog()
c = Cat()
cw = Cow()
d.sound()
c.sound()
cw.sound()
Output
Bark Meow Moo
All child classes (Dog, Cat, Cow) inherit from the same parent Animal, but override the sound() method differently.
Here is the representation:
Hybrid Inheritance
A combination of two or more types of inheritance.
class LivingBeing:
def breathe(self):
print("Breathing...")
class Animal(LivingBeing):
def move(self):
print("Animal moves")
class Bird(LivingBeing):
def move(self):
print("Bird flies")
class Bat(Animal, Bird): # Hybrid: multiple + hierarchical
def special(self):
print("Bat uses echolocation")
# Testing
b = Bat()
b.breathe() # From LivingBeing
b.move() # Resolves using Method Resolution Order (MRO)
b.special()
Output
Breathing... Animal moves Bat uses echolocation
Bat inherits from both Animal and Bird, while they themselves inherit from LivingBeing. This creates a hybrid structure.
Here is the representation:
Note: Python uses Method Resolution Order (MRO) to decide which parent’s method to call when there’s ambiguity.
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