Inheritance in Python
Inheritance in Python (Description):
Inheritance is a feature in object-oriented programming that allows a class (called a child or derived
class) to inherit properties
and behaviors (methods) from another class (called a parent or base class).
This promotes code reusability and hierarchical classification.
Types of Inheritance in Python:
1. Single Inheritance
2. Multiple Inheritance
3. Multilevel Inheritance
4. Hierarchical Inheritance
5. Hybrid Inheritance
Examples of Each Type:
1. Single Inheritance:
In single inheritance, a child class inherits from one parent class.
Example:
class Animal:
def speak(self):
print("Animals make sound")
class Dog(Animal):
def bark(self):
print("Dog barks")
d = Dog()
d.speak() # Inherited method
d.bark() # Own method
Output:
Animals make sound
Dog barks
2. Multiple Inheritance:
In multiple inheritance, a child class inherits from more than one parent class.
Example:
class Animal:
def speak(self):
print("Animals make sound")
class Pet:
def type_of_pet(self):
print("This is a pet")
class Dog(Animal, Pet):
def bark(self):
print("Dog barks")
d = Dog()
d.speak() # Inherited from Animal
d.type_of_pet() # Inherited from Pet
d.bark() # Own method
Output:
Animals make sound
This is a pet
Dog barks
3. Multilevel Inheritance:
In multilevel inheritance, a class is derived from another derived class.
Example:
class Animal:
def speak(self):
print("Animals make sound")
class Mammal(Animal):
def walk(self):
print("Mammals walk")
class Dog(Mammal):
def bark(self):
print("Dog barks")
d = Dog()
d.speak() # Inherited from Animal
d.walk() # Inherited from Mammal
d.bark() # Own method
Output:
Animals make sound
Mammals walk
Dog barks
4. Hierarchical Inheritance:
In hierarchical inheritance, multiple classes inherit from a single parent class.
Example:
class Animal:
def speak(self):
print("Animals make sound")
class Dog(Animal):
def bark(self):
print("Dog barks")
class Cat(Animal):
def meow(self):
print("Cat meows")
d = Dog()
d.speak() # Inherited from Animal
d.bark() # Own method
c = Cat()
c.speak() # Inherited from Animal
c.meow() # Own method
Output:
Animals make sound
Dog barks
Animals make sound
Cat meows
5. Hybrid Inheritance:
In hybrid inheritance, two or more types of inheritance are combined.
Example:
class Animal:
def speak(self):
print("Animals make sound")
class Pet:
def type_of_pet(self):
print("This is a pet")
class Mammal(Animal):
def walk(self):
print("Mammals walk")
class Dog(Mammal, Pet):
def bark(self):
print("Dog barks")
d = Dog()
d.speak() # Inherited from Animal
d.walk() # Inherited from Mammal
d.type_of_pet() # Inherited from Pet
d.bark() # Own method
Output:
Animals make sound
Mammals walk
This is a pet
Dog barks
Summary:
- Single Inheritance: One class inherits from another.
- Multiple Inheritance: One class inherits from multiple classes.
- Multilevel Inheritance: A class inherits from a derived class, forming a chain.
- Hierarchical Inheritance: Multiple classes inherit from a single parent class.
- Hybrid Inheritance: A combination of two or more types of inheritance.
