Inheritance
Inheritance is a mechanism in which one object acquires all the properties and behaviors
of a parent object. It is an important part of OOPs (Object Oriented programming
system).
The idea behind inheritance is that you can create new classes that are built upon existing
classes. When you inherit from an existing class, you can reuse methods and fields of the
parent class. Moreover, you can add new methods and fields in your current class also.
Inheritance represents the IS-A relationship which is also known as a parent-
child relationship.
Why use inheritance in java
o For Method Overriding (so runtime polymorphism can be achieved).
o For Code Reusability.
Terms used in Inheritance
o Class: A class is a group of objects which have common properties. It is a template
or blueprint from which objects are created.
o Sub Class/Child Class: Subclass is a class which inherits the other class. It is also
called a derived class, extended class, or child class.
o Super Class/Parent Class: Superclass is the class from where a subclass inherits
the features. It is also called a base class or a parent class.
o Reusability: As the name specifies, reusability is a mechanism which facilitates
you to reuse the fields and methods of the existing class when you create a new
class. You can use the same fields and methods already defined in the previous
class.
The syntax of Java Inheritance
class Subclass-name extends Superclass-name
{
//methods and fields
}
The extends keyword indicates that you are making a new class that derives from an
existing class. The meaning of "extends" is to increase the functionality.
In the terminology of Java, a class which is inherited is called a parent or superclass, and
the new class is called child or subclass.
Example 1
Let’s consider two classes, C1 and C2, in this scenario. We can isolate the common
characteristics of C1 and C2, implementing them in a new separate class called B. As a
result, C1 and C2 become smaller and only contain attributes and functions exclusive to
each. It is referred to as inheritance, with C1 and C2 inheriting from B.
In the previous example, B works as the base class or superclass, while C1 and C2 are
derived classes or subclasses. Superclasses represent a more generalized form, reflecting
an upward movement. Subclasses represent a more specific form, signifying a
downward movement. So, it forms a hierarchical structure within the class
organization.
Formally, inheritance describes the relationship between an ancestor and a descendant,
as depicted in UML notation shown next:
In the example, the base class (Person) acts as the ancestor, and the derived classes act
as descendants (Student and Lecturer). A separate box is drawn for each class, with an
arrow pointing from the derived classes to the base class.
Although several modern programming languages do not allow multiple inheritances,
conceptually, it exists from the beginning of the OOP paradigm. Multiple inheritances
allow a class to inherit properties and behavior from multiple parent classes. However,
it can lead to ambiguity, as two parent classes can have methods with the same name.
Example 2: Java Inheritance Example
As displayed in the above figure, Programmer is the subclass and Employee is the
superclass. The relationship between the two classes is Programmer IS-A Employee. It
means that Programmer is a type of Employee.
class Employee{
float salary=40000;
}
class Programmer extends Employee{
int bonus=10000;
public static void main(String args[]){
Programmer p=new Programmer();
[Link]("Programmer salary is:"+[Link]);
[Link]("Bonus of Programmer is:"+[Link]);
}
}
Programmer salary is:40000.0
Bonus of programmer is:10000
In the above example, Programmer object can access the field of own class as well as of
Employee class i.e. code reusability.
Types of inheritance in java
On the basis of class, there can be three types of inheritance in java: single, multilevel and
hierarchical.
In java programming, multiple and hybrid inheritance is supported through interface
only.
Note: Multiple inheritance is not supported in Java through class.
When one class inherits multiple classes, it is known as multiple inheritance. For
Example:
Single Inheritance Example
When a class inherits another class, it is known as a single inheritance. In the example given
below, Dog class inherits the Animal class, so there is the single inheritance.
class Animal{
void eat(){[Link]("eating...");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void bark(){[Link]("barking...");}
}
class TestInheritance{
public static void main(String args[]){
Dog d=new Dog();
[Link]();
[Link]();
}
}
Output:
barking...
eating...
Multilevel Inheritance Example
When there is a chain of inheritance, it is known as multilevel inheritance. As you can see
in the example given below, BabyDog class inherits the Dog class which again inherits
the Animal class, so there is a multilevel inheritance.
class Animal{
void eat(){[Link]("eating...");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void bark(){[Link]("barking...");}
}
class BabyDog extends Dog{
void weep(){[Link]("weeping...");}
}
class TestInheritance2{
public static void main(String args[]){
BabyDog d=new BabyDog();
[Link]();
[Link]();
[Link]();
}}
Output:
weeping...
barking...
eating...
Hierarchical Inheritance Example
When two or more classes inherits a single class, it is known as hierarchical inheritance. In
the example given below, Dog and Cat classes inherits the Animal class, so there is
hierarchical inheritance.
class Animal{
void eat(){[Link]("eating...");}
}
class Dog extends Animal{
void bark(){[Link]("barking...");}
}
class Cat extends Animal{
void meow(){[Link]("meowing...");}
}
class TestInheritance3{
public static void main(String args[]){
Cat c=new Cat();
[Link]();
[Link]();
//[Link]();//[Link]
}}
Output:
meowing...
eating...
Why multiple inheritance is not supported in java?
To reduce the complexity and simplify the language, multiple inheritance is not
supported in java.
Consider a scenario where A, B, and C are three classes. The C class inherits A and B
classes. If A and B classes have the same method and you call it from child class object,
there will be ambiguity to call the method of A or B class.
Since compile-time errors are better than runtime errors, Java renders compile-time error
if you inherit 2 classes. So whether you have same method or different, there will be
compile time error.
class A{
void msg(){[Link]("Hello");}
}
class B{
void msg(){[Link]("Welcome");}
}
class C extends A,B{//suppose if it were
public static void main(String args[]){
C obj=new C();
[Link]();//Now which msg() method would be invoked?
}
}