Inheritance in Java
. Inheritance
. Types of Inheritance
. Why multiple inheritance is not possible in Java in case of class?
Inheritance in Java 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 in Java 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
For Method Overriding (so runtime polymorphism can be
achieved).
For Code Reusability.
Terms used in Inheritance
Class: A class is a group of objects which have common
properties. It is a template or blueprint from which objects are
created.
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.
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.
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.
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]
y);
[Link]("Bonus of Programmer is:"+[Link]
nus);
}
}
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.
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.
File: [Link]
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.
File: [Link]
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.
File: [Link]
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…
Q) 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 inv
oked?
}
}
Test it Now
Compile Time Error
