Inheritance in Java
1. What is Inheritance?
• Inheritance is one of the core concepts of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).
• In Java, Inheritance means one class (child class) acquiring the properties (fields) and behaviors
(methods) of another class (parent class).
• It helps in code reusability and method overriding.
2. Syntax of Inheritance
class Parent {
// fields and methods
}
class Child extends Parent {
// fields and methods
}
Here, Child class inherits from Parent class using the extends keyword.
3. Types of Inheritance in Java
Type Description
Single Inheritance One class inherits from one other class
Multilevel Inheritance Class inherits from a child class (chain-like)
Hierarchical Inheritance Multiple classes inherit from a single parent
Multiple Inheritance One class inherits from multiple classes (Not supported via classes)
Hybrid Inheritance Combination of two or more types (Handled using interfaces)
4. Single Inheritance
One child class inherits from one parent class. One child class inherits from one parent
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class.
class Animal {
void eat() {
[Link]("Animal eats food");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
void bark() {
[Link]("Dog barks");
}
}
Dog inherits eat() method from Animal.
5. Multilevel Inheritance
One class inherits from a class which itself is inherited from another class.
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class Animal {
void eat() {
[Link]("Animal eats food");
}
}
class Mammal extends Animal {
void walk() {
[Link]("Mammal walks");
}
}
class Dog extends Mammal {
void bark() {
[Link]("Dog barks");
}
}
Dog indirectly inherits eat() and walk() methods.
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6. Hierarchical Inheritance
Multiple child classes inherit from one parent
class.
class Animal {
void eat() {
[Link]("Animal eats food");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
void bark() {
[Link]("Dog barks");
}
}
class Cat extends Animal {
void meow() {
[Link]("Cat meows");
}
}
Both Dog and Cat inherit eat() from Animal.
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7. Multiple Inheritance (Classes)
• Java does not support multiple inheritance with classes to avoid ambiguity problems (known as
the Diamond Problem).
• Multiple Inheritance means a class trying to inherit from more than one class.
Example that is NOT allowed in Java:
class A {
void show() {
[Link]("A's show");
}
}
class B {
void show() {
[Link]("B's show");
}
}
// This is NOT allowed
class C extends A, B { // Error: Class cannot extend multiple classes
// Ambiguity: Which show() to inherit?
}
Result:
• Java compiler will throw an error:
Class C cannot extend multiple classes
Diamond Problem in Java
What is the Diamond Problem?
• It happens when one class inherits from two classes that have a common superclass.
• The problem is ambiguity:
If two parent classes have the same method, and a child class inherits both,
then which method should the child inherit?
Classic Diamond Shape Diagram:
A
/\
B C
\/
D
Where:
• Class B and Class C inherit from A
• Class D tries to inherit from both B and C
Problem: If A, B, and C all have a method display(), and D inherits from both B and C,
then which display() should D inherit? B's or C's?
→ AMBIGUITY!
Why Java does not allow Multiple Inheritance using Classes?
• To avoid ambiguity at runtime and compile time.
• Simplify the design — no confusion about which method to inherit.
• Prevent complexity — keeps Java simple and easy to understand.
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Interfaces and Multiple Inheritance
Java solves this problem using interfaces.
In interfaces, even if two interfaces have the same method signature, the implementing class must override the
method and provide its own definition — so no ambiguity.
Final Conclusion:
Situation Java Behavior
Multiple Inheritance using Classes Not allowed (to prevent Diamond Problem)
Multiple Inheritance using Interfaces Allowed (child must override methods)
Important Keywords:
Keyword Meaning
extends Used for class inheritance
implements Used for interface inheritance
super To call parent class constructor/method
this Current object reference
Quick Summary (Important Points)
• Java supports single, multilevel, and hierarchical inheritance via classes.
• Java does not support multiple inheritance via classes to avoid Diamond Problem.
• Java supports multiple inheritance via interfaces.
• Private members of the parent are not inherited.
• Constructors are not inherited, but the child can call them using super().
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